Effect of terminal boundary protection on the spread of computer viruses: modeling and simulation

The diversity and complexity of the user population on the campus network increase the risk of computer virus infection during terminal information interactions. Therefore, it is crucial to explore how computer viruses propagate between terminals in such a network. In this study, we establish a novel computer virus spreading model based on the characteristics of the basic network structure and a classical epidemic-spreading dynamics model, adapted to real-world university scenarios. The proposed model contains six groups: susceptible, unisolated latent, isolated latent, infection, recovery, and crash. We analyze the proposed model’s basic reproduction number and disease-free equilibrium point. Using real-world university terminal computer virus propagation data, a basic computer virus infection rate, a basic computer virus removal rate, and a security protection strategy deployment rate are proposed to define the conversion probability of each group and perceive each group’s variation tendency. Furthermore, we analyze the spreading trend of computer viruses in the campus network in terms of the proposed computer virus spreading model. We propose specific measures to suppress the spread of computer viruses in terminals, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the campus network terminals to the greatest extent.