The Complexity of Time Delay Viruses

An introduction to the time delay viruses

The basic principle that underpins this form of malware is the fact that it first attaches itself to your system and then destroys it at leisure. That means that it might take months before you actually start seeing the real challenges that have been presented in terms of maintaining security within the sector. A case in point was the CIH virus which affected Windows 95 and 98. The basic action was to prevent the deletion of files that were considered to be harmful. This is another form of control where you are unable to manage the data on your system.

The use of executable files in time delay viruses

The Far East is fertile ground for some of these schemes. One of them had 32 bit executable files which had .exe extensions. The first generation infection would then be activated at a later stage so that you were not really sure about the full impact of the progression. When the older ones started to die out, the new versions began their action. In the end it was very difficult to find solutions because the delay meant that the protective systems were out of synch with the reality which was being dealt with. The threat can be managed if the problems are detected and removed before they become a major hindrance to operations in general.

Diagnosing the time delay viruses

One of the most effective methodologies is to maintain a list of the characteristic files. That means that the computer will automatically reject any intrusion that is associated with the file types. The developers have been getting round this problem by completely changing the appearance of the time delay viruses. That means that the people who are trying to protect the public have to constantly revise their strategies in line with the reality on the ground. It is a tightrope which often fails the people that it is meant to be protecting.

Are there any advantages associated with time delay viruses?

During the incubation period, you may be given the chance to delete the file altogether. This means that you have to diligently follow the upgrades that are sent to the computers. Some of these files are designed after reviewing the general trends within the industry. If they are found to be ineffective then you will get a new set of software tools that will enable you to deconstruct the threat before it becomes a real problem.