Epidemic model based evaluation of malware propagation in Twitter

Twitter, an Internet based social networking application has gained a tremendous popularity as a means of convenient social networking. The inherent structure and possibility of rapid information propagation provides an opportunity for adversaries to use Twitter as a medium to spread malware. It is critical to examine the data dissemination process in Twitter in terms of speed and reachability. Existing literature proposed a mathematical model for malware propagation in Twitter based on the malicious code propagation in Wireless Sensor Networks. In this context, we thought that the malicious code propagation model based on WSN doesn't suit for Twitter. Therefore, we have proposed a first of its kind of a mathematical framework for malware propagation in Twitter based on epidemic theory. Our preliminary analysis demonstrates that even with users having a lower degree of connectivity and lower probability of clicking links, Twitter and its communication structure can be exploited to spread malware and infect many accounts.