| | COMPUTER | BIOLOGY |
|---|
| s i m i l a r i t i e s |
| 1 | infection of specific targets (.exe or .com files) | infection of specific targets (host cells) |
| 2 | attach to .exe or .com files | integrate in DNA |
| 3 | spread to other computers | spread to other hosts |
| 4 | parasitism: copied by host | copied by host cell |
| 5 | one virus per file | no re-infection of same cell |
| 6 | initially infected file is functional | initially infected cell is functional |
| 7 | user does not immediately notice infection | host organism does not immediately notice infection |
| 8 | software can be made immune to infection | not every cell is infected |
| 9 | specificity for Operating System | host specificity |
| 10 | species (kinds) of viruses | species (families) of viruses |
| 11 | degrees of harmfulness | different degrees of virulence |
| 12 | difference in susceptibility of computers | difference in susceptibility of individuals and species |
| 13 | antivirus software on computer | immune system |
| 14 | percentage of computers protected by anti-virus software | percentage of individuals in population immune to virus (vaccinated) |
| 15 | PC's came first, viruses later | host organism evovled prior to infecting virus |
| 16 | contain information, have length expressed in b(ytes) | contain information, have length expressed in b(ases) |
| 17 | source code causes behaviour of virus | genotype causes phenotype including behaviour |
| 18 | virus has small size relative to host software | small genome relative to host genome |
| 19 | not living according to Ganti definition | not living according to Ganti definition |
| p o t e n t i a l s i m i l a r i t i e s |
| 1 | mutating virus | virus mutates |
| 2 | activation of virus depends on date | seasonal activity of virus |
| 3 | software version dependent action | age dependent action of virus |
| 4 | virus infects new host software | infection of new host species |
| 5 | anti-virus software introduced | evolution of immune system |
| 6 | anti-virus stoftware comes at a price | immune system is costly for the organism |
| 7 | arms race virus and anti-virus software | arms race virus and immunesystem (vaccines development) |
| 8 | spread via Trojan horse | spread via vector |
| 9 | hidden presence of virus | latency; initial symptom free period |
| 10 | polymorphic virus | polymorphic virus |
| 11 | virus disables virus scanner | virus attacks immune system |
| 12 | Darwinian evolution of mutating virusses | Darwinian evolution of mutating virusses |
| 13 | detected by virus signature | detected by virus signature |
| d i s s i m i l a r i t i e s |
| 1 | made by humans | not made by humans |
| 2 | source code known to author | sequence of new virus not known |
| 3 | no 2D or 3D form | always 3D form / structure |
| 4 | virtual (digital) | material; based on molecules |
| 5 | no auto-immunity | auto-immune diseases |
| 6 | useful viruses do not exist | some viruses have usefull effects for the host |
