Of the multitude of artefacts that populate the Internet, perhaps none have caused more frustration and uncertainty than computer viruses. Understood to be a malicious code designed to induce computing equipment to operate in ways unintended by their developers and users, the consequences of such have ranged from relatively benign manipulation of text on a screen to the manipulation or destruction of information stored within the devices themselves. Moreover, the perceived consequences of a few lines of code have spawned an industry dedicated to its study and containment. Yet despite concerted efforts to contain this threat, it continues to remain entrenched within the fabric of cyberspace.

In response to its persistence, the study of computer viruses continues to pique the interest of computer scientists and information ...