Are virus simulators any help?
There are two type of virus simulators. The first is a non-viral program which simulates the graphic or sound displays of certain computer viruses. These simulators may be used to promote interest in learning about viruses, although they have limited usefulness since the most common viruses do not produce overt displays. Indeed, while these simulators may be used to “liven up” a demonstration or lesson, they may do some disservice, since they emphasize the idea that there are common and overt symptoms that viruses display. However, in the main they are harmless. The second type of virus simulator purports to demonstrate and test the effectiveness of antiviral software. In order to determine whether or not this type of simulator is of any use, you have to know both how the antiviral software works, and how the virus simulator is doing its “simulation”. To test an activity monitor, the simulator has to perform activities that a virus would. However, if the program does not perform all th
