Fighting malware and spam

University of Calgary teaches spam

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.

8 February 2005

Tags: spam