University of Calgary teaches spam

Posted by   Virus Bulletin on   Feb 8, 2005

Learnt how to create viruses? Now learn how to create spam and spyware

Students at the University of Calgary will soon be learning how to write spam and spyware programs as part of their computer security course.

In the summer of 2003, the anti-virus industry was up in arms over the fact that the University of Calgary was proposing to teach its students how to write viruses. Now, the University plans to add spam and spyware to the course.

Course supervisor Prof John Aycock explains the reasoning behind the controversial teaching methods: 'The idea is for the students to learn how these things propagate, how they are created, how they interact with the system and that sort of thing ... Then we turn around and say, "OK, here are these things you've created – now we write the anti-software and figure out how to fight against them."'

Precautions such as security cameras and a ban on all outside electronic equipment in the classroom are in place in an attempt to prevent any form of malware spreading outside the classroom whether accidentally or intentionally. In addition, students are advised that strict assignment protocols will be in effect and that failure to adhere to these protocols will result in an automatic 'F' grade in the course. Students are required to sign a legal document stating that they have read and understood the assignment protocols, and that they understand that misuse of the information in the course can result in civil and criminal penalties.

An outline of the course can be found on the University's website. The course is due to start in autumn 2005.

Posted on 8 February 2005 by Virus Bulletin

 Tags

twitter.png
fb.png
linkedin.png
hackernews.png
reddit.png

 

Latest posts:

VBSpam tests to be executed under the AMTSO framework

VB is excited to announce that, starting from the Q3 test, all VBSpam tests of email security products will be executed under the AMTSO framework.

In memoriam: Prof. Ross Anderson

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of Professor Ross Anderson a few days ago.

In memoriam: Dr Alan Solomon

We were very sorry to learn of the passing of industry pioneer Dr Alan Solomon earlier this week.

New paper: Nexus Android banking botnet – compromising C&C panels and dissecting mobile AppInjects

In a new paper, researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Bansal provide details of a security vulnerability in the Nexus Android botnet C&C panel that was exploited in order to gather threat intelligence, and present a model of mobile AppInjects.

New paper: Collector-stealer: a Russian origin credential and information extractor

In a new paper, F5 researchers Aditya K Sood and Rohit Chaturvedi present a 360 analysis of Collector-stealer, a Russian-origin credential and information extractor.

We have placed cookies on your device in order to improve the functionality of this site, as outlined in our cookies policy. However, you may delete and block all cookies from this site and your use of the site will be unaffected. By continuing to browse this site, you are agreeing to Virus Bulletin's use of data as outlined in our privacy policy.