This is a topic that has been around for quite some time.  Even though that is the case, it will probably be one of the larger topics frequently discussed in the realm of computer security.  “White” worms, which can be considered as ‘good’ worms, are intended to propagate just like regular worms, but instead of causing damage, they will be used to fix vulnerabilities on people’s computers.  Sounds great, right?  Well, what if the worm runs into a conflict on your computer trying to fix a vulnerability which in turn render parts or all of your computer useless?  It’s debates like this that will continue to ignite this debate as to whether or not they should be used.

A scientific paper discussing theories of information propagation reopened the debate on beneficial worms last week, after one of the authors — a researcher at Microsoft — told reporters that the company could benefit from making software updates spread more like computer worms.

The paper, Sampling Strategies for Epidemic-Style Information Dissemination, investigates the best way to propagate information or code on a subdivided network, such as the Internet. One of the authors — Milan Vojnovic of Microsoft Research in Cambridge, U.K. — described an aim of the study as developing a way for software patches to be distributed faster and with less load on a single server, according to an article appearing Thursday in the online edition of the U.K.-based NewScientist magazine.

While the concept of a beneficial worm is not new, it remains controversial and security professionals quickly panned the idea.[more]

Tags: Computer Protection