Malware Analysis

COS20030

Duration
One Semester or equivalent

Prerequisites
TNE10005 Network Administration
OR
TNE10006 Networks and Switching
OR
200 Credit Points in ICT degree

Corequisites
Nil

Contact hours
48 Hours

Credit Points
12.5

Aims and learning outcomes

This unit introduces the students to various malwares and their characteristics in an in-depth manner. The students will learn about the malware analysis methodology and the tools that assist with malware analysis.

Students who successfully complete this unit should be able to:

  1. Identify malware and their characteristics.
  2. Explain the methodology in malware analysis
  3. Apply the tools and technologies used in malware analysis
  4. Perform malware analysis in a safe environment

Unit information

Learning and teaching structures

Lecture (12 hours), Tutorial/Laboratory (24 hours).

In a Semester, you should normally expect to spend, on average, twelve and a half hours of total time (formal contact time plus independent study time) a week on a 12.5 credit point unit of study.

Content

  • Malware overview
  • Malware types
  • Traditional (virus, worm, logic bomb, trojan horse)
  • Autonomous (adware, rootkit, bootkit, spyware)
  • Remote-controlled (ransomware, bots, backdoor)
  • Malware analysis types: static and dynamic
  • Malware analysis methodology and tools

Assessments

100% Portfolio Assessment

  1. Lab reports (Individual) 20%
  2. Skills test lab (Group) 30%
  3. Final examination (Individual) 50%

Minimum requirements to pass this unit of study

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:

  • an aggregated mark of 50% or more

Study Resources

Resources and reference material