Symantec Research Labs Creates New Worm Simulator

When a new worm spreads around the world, people want to know if they are protected. How fast is it? How does it spread? A new simulation program developed by Symantec Research Labs not only has the answers, it also provides pictures.

The new Symantec Worm Simulator visually demonstrates how worms spread through the Internet, and how they fare against a custom network and security policy

To use the Worm Simulator, all users need to do is load a simulation file and click “play.” The Worm Simulator is distributed with simulations of six actual worms: MyDoom, Netsky, Sasser, Slammer, Blaster, and SoBig. Each simulation is tailored to accurately represent how the real worm spread in the wild. As the worm spreads, nodes in the network and on the globe start turning colors. Symantec Yellow represents patched and secure machines, while red indicates an infected machine. The SoBig virus simulation, for instance, quickly shows one corporate network turning red, while a different company turns yellow. The yellow company has more machines that are patched or running security software, and are therefore resistant to the worm......Snip