Advanced persistent threats (APTs) pose a grave threat to cyberspace, because they deactivate all the conventional cyber defense mechanisms. This paper addresses the issue of evaluating the security of the cyber networks under APTs. For this purpose, a dynamic model capturing the APT-based cyber-attack-defense processes is proposed. Theoretical analysis shows that this model admits a globally stable equilibrium. On this basis, a new security metric known as the equilibrium security is suggested. The impact of several factors on the equilibrium security is revealed through theoretical analysis or computer simulation. These findings contribute to the development of feasible security solutions against APTs.@en

As compared to the traditional advertising, word-of-mouth (WOM) communications have striking advantages such as significantly lower cost and much faster propagation, and this is especially the case with the popularity of online social networks. This paper focuses on the modeling and analysis of the WOM marketing. A dynamic model, known as the SIPNS model, capturing the WOM marketing processes with both positive and negative comments is established. On this basis, a measure of the overall profit of a WOM marketing campaign is proposed. The SIPNS model is shown to admit a unique equilibrium, and the equilibrium is determined. The impact of different factors on the equilibrium of the SIPNS model is illuminated through theoretical analysis. Extensive experimental results suggest that the equilibrium is much likely to be globally attracting. Finally, the influence of different factors on the expected overall profit of a WOM marketing campaign is ascertained both theoretically and experimentally. Thereby, some promotion strategies are recommended. To our knowledge, this is the first time the WOM marketing is treated in this way.@en

As compared to the traditional advertising, word-of-mouth (WOM) communications have striking advantages such as significantly lower cost and much faster propagation, and this is especially the case with the popularity of online social networks. This paper focuses on the modeling and analysis of the WOM marketing. A dynamic model, known as the SIPNS model, capturing the WOM marketing processes with both positive and negative comments is established. On this basis, a measure of the overall profit of a WOM marketing campaign is proposed. The SIPNS model is shown to admit a unique equilibrium, and the equilibrium is determined. The impact of different factors on the equilibrium of the SIPNS model is illuminated through theoretical analysis. Extensive experimental results suggest that the equilibrium is much likely to be globally attracting. Finally, the influence of different factors on the expected overall profit of a WOM marketing campaign is ascertained both theoretically and experimentally. Thereby, some promotion strategies are recommended. To our knowledge, this is the first time the WOM marketing is treated in this way.@en

To assess the prevalence of disruptive computer viruses in the situation that every node in a network has its own virus-related attributes, a heterogeneous epidemic model is proposed. A criterion for the global stability of the virus-free equilibrium and a criterion for the existence of a unique viral equilibrium are given, respectively. Furthermore, extensive simulation experiments are conducted, and some interesting phenomena are found from the experimental results. On this basis, some policies of suppressing disruptive viruses are recommended.@en

There are plenty of conflicting messages in online social networks. This paper addresses the competition of two conflicting messages. Based on a novel individual-level competing spreading model (the generic UABU model), three criteria for one or two messages to terminate are presented. These criteria manifest the influence of the two message-spreading networks on the evolution of the two messages. Extensive computer simulations show that when a message terminates, the dynamics of a simplified UABU model (the linear UABU model) fits well with the expected evolutionary process of the message. These findings help in understanding the competing spreading process of two conflicting messages.@en

There are plenty of conflicting messages in online social networks. This paper addresses the competition of two conflicting messages. Based on a novel individual-level competing spreading model (the generic UABU model), three criteria for one or two messages to terminate are presented. These criteria manifest the influence of the two message-spreading networks on the evolution of the two messages. Extensive computer simulations show that when a message terminates, the dynamics of a simplified UABU model (the linear UABU model) fits well with the expected evolutionary process of the message. These findings help in understanding the competing spreading process of two conflicting messages.@en

There are plenty of conflicting messages in online social networks. This paper addresses the competition of two conflicting messages. Based on a novel individual-level competing spreading model (the generic UABU model), three criteria for one or two messages to terminate are presented. These criteria manifest the influence of the two message-spreading networks on the evolution of the two messages. Extensive computer simulations show that when a message terminates, the dynamics of a simplified UABU model (the linear UABU model) fits well with the expected evolutionary process of the message. These findings help in understanding the competing spreading process of two conflicting messages.@en

There are plenty of conflicting messages in online social networks. This paper addresses the competition of two conflicting messages. Based on a novel individual-level competing spreading model (the generic UABU model), three criteria for one or two messages to terminate are presented. These criteria manifest the influence of the two message-spreading networks on the evolution of the two messages. Extensive computer simulations show that when a message terminates, the dynamics of a simplified UABU model (the linear UABU model) fits well with the expected evolutionary process of the message. These findings help in understanding the competing spreading process of two conflicting messages.@en

There are plenty of conflicting messages in online social networks. This paper addresses the competition of two conflicting messages. Based on a novel individual-level competing spreading model (the generic UABU model), three criteria for one or two messages to terminate are presented. These criteria manifest the influence of the two message-spreading networks on the evolution of the two messages. Extensive computer simulations show that when a message terminates, the dynamics of a simplified UABU model (the linear UABU model) fits well with the expected evolutionary process of the message. These findings help in understanding the competing spreading process of two conflicting messages.@en