Scanning macro virus in Microsoft Word file under Unix operating system
Date
2001
Authors
Zhang, Wei
Major Professor
Advisor
Jacobson, Doug
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
A computer virus is a special kind of computer program. It spreads across disks and networks by making copies of itself and does malicious work in computers where it is active. Due to recent attacks, computer viruses become a topic that has more and more people concerned. Since the introduction of the first macro virus in August 1995, this type of virus has been the fastest growing category. In fact, less than one year, macro virus has topped the lists of reported virus incidents all over the world. The objective in this thesis work is to scan macro virus in Microsoft Word file to prevent most of the virus attacks under Unix operating system. In this thesis, a database on Word 97 macro viruses was set up. According to the occurrence frequency in the macro virus, some often-used macros were classified into different danger levels. Microsoft Word file (both Word 97 and Word 2000) was parsed under Unix operating system. Macros stored in the Word file could be located, dumped and decompressed into plaintext for scanning. Three algorithms that can be used to scan macro virus in Word file were implemented based on the database. Some tests showed both the parsing process and scanning algorithms could work well under Unix operating system. This work can act as the first guard line against macro virus for the computers that run Unix operating system.
Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
thesis