Overview

This unit introduces students to various malware and their characteristics in an in-depth manner. Students will learn about the malware analysis methodology and the tools that assist with malware analysis. They also learn how to classify and report malware. In addition, they will learn about attack frameworks to secure the system against malware attacks.

Requisites

Prerequisites
TNE10005 Network Administration

OR
TNE10006 Networks and Switching

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start and end dates
04-November-2024
09-February-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-November-2024
Census date
29-November-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
27-December-2024
Results released date
04-March-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Identify malware and their characteristics
  • Explain the methodology in malware analysis
  • Apply the tools and technologies used in malware analysis
  • Perform malware analysis in a safe environment
  • Understand and implement industry standards for malware classification and reporting

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture
1.00  12 weeks  12
On-campus
Class
2.00  12 weeks  24
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
8.50  12 weeks  102
TOTAL     150

Swinburne Online

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
12.50 12 weeks 150
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Assignment 1 Individual  10 - 25%  1,2,3,4 
Assignment 2 Individual/Group 25 - 50% 1,2,3,4,5
Quizzes Individual 5 - 20% 1,2,3,4,5
Laboratory Report Individual  10 - 20%  1,3,4 
Test Individual  10 - 30%  1,3,4 

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, dynamic
  • Malware analysis methodology and tools
  • Attack frameworks and how to secure systems against malware attacks
  • Industry standards for malware classification and reporting  

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.