This WebQuest does not require any resources above and beyond a typical computer with an Internet connection, plus Microsoft Office. For group work, a computer lab is preferred.
Here is the list of web links provided to the students on their Resources page. Students should visit all of these sites and review them before attempting the tasks. Each task will probably require the use of multiple web sites.
Please note that one of the web sites listed below contains the source code for actual viruses, mostly e-mail and macro viruses written in VBScript. They have been rendered safe by putting them inside of plain text files. Nonetheless, some of the pages at that web site may set off your antivirus software. It is imperative that you have adequate antivirus software installed on your computer BEFORE you visit this site.
badguys.org (home page of virus researcher Sarah Gordon)
Computer Viruses: Making the Time Fit the Crime (Ford, Marrin, Esposito,Witmeyer, & Glaser, Attys. at Law)
Computer Viruses Slowed But Not Contained (San Jose Mercury News)
Computer Viruses, Worms, and Insurance (About.com)
Cost of Code Red Computer Virus (GSMBOX)
How Does an Antivirus Work? (Symantec)
'Modest' Cost of Sobig Virus (BBC News)
Network Associates (maker of McAfee Antivirus)
Study Tallies High Expense of Computer Viruses (TechWeb)
Symantec Corporation (maker of Norton Antivirus)
Types of Viruses (Queensland University of Technology)
Understanding Computer Viruses (University of Nebraska - Lincoln)
Virus Info Research and Writings (Command Software)
Virus Protection Software (Yahoo!)
Virus Source Code (62NDS Solutions) This web page contains links to the program code for actual viruses, written in VBScript. They have been rendered safe by putting them inside of plain text files. Nonetheless, some of the pages at that web site may set off your antivirus software. It is imperative that you have adequate antivirus software installed on your computer BEFORE you visit this site.
Vmyths.com (information on virus hoaxes)
Who Writes Viruses? (Computer Cops)
Who Writes Viruses...and Why? (The PC Guide)
The WildList Organization International