Modeling the Effect of External Computers and Removable Devices on a Computer Network with Heterogeneous Immunity

Abstract

This paper intends to investigate the impact of external computers and removable devices on virus spread in a network with heterogeneous immunity. For that purpose, a new dynamical model is presented and discussed. Theoretical analysis reveals the existence of a unique viral equilibrium that is locally and globally asymptotically stable with no criteria. This result implies that efforts to eliminate viruses are not possible. Therefore, sensitivity analysis is performed to have more insight into parameters’ impact on virus prevalence. As a result, strategies are suggested to contain virus spread to an acceptable level. Finally, to rationalize the analytical results, we execute some numerical simulations.