The V-network: a testbed for malware analysis

This paper presents a virtualised network environment that serves as a stable and re-usable platform for the analysis of malware propagation. The platform, which has been developed using VMware virtualisation technology, enables the use of either a graphical user interface or scripts to create virtual networks, clone, restart and take snapshots of virtual machines, reset experiments, clean virtual machines and manage the entire infrastructure remotely. The virtualised environment uses open source routing software to support the deployment of intrusion detection systems and other malware attack sensors, and is therefore suitable for evaluating countermeasure systems before deployment on live networks. An empirical analysis of network worm propagation has been conducted using worm outbreak experiments on Class A size networks to demonstrate the capability of the developed platform

LC/ESI-ITMS Detection of the Neurotoxic Amino Acids in Cultured Cyanobacterial Isolate Nostoc MAC PCC 8009

The non-protein amino acid β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), is a neurotoxic agent that is produced by various strain of cyanobacteria. 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (2,4-DAB), and N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine (AEG) are the common isomers of BMAA. 2,4-DAB exhibit neurotoxic properties like BMAA. Various studies have shown that cyanobacteria produce BMAA and DAB, however, no studies have shown the  detection of these amino acids using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-ITMS) method. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of BMAA and its isomer 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) in axenic laboratory culture of  cyanobacterial strain Nostoc MAC PCC 8009. Axenic laboratory cultures were harvested after 12 weeks of growth and non-protein amino acids were extracted by trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and methanol extraction. Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (LC/ESIITMS) was employed to analyse the presence of BMAA and 2,4-DAB. Both BMAA and 2,4-DAB were detected in the axenic cultures, which confirms the production of these neurotoxic amino acids by cyanobacteria. Multiple stage mass analysis by ESI-ITMS using [M+H] + was useful to distinguish between the two isomers

Early detection and containment of network worm

This paper presents a network security framework for containing the propagation of network worms. The framework employs a detection mechanism at the network layer to identify the presence of a network worm and a data-link containment solution to block the infected host. A prototype of the mechanism has been used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed framework. An empirical analysis of network worm propagation has been conducted to test the framework. The results show that the developed framework is effective in containing network worms with almost no false positives

Marketing mix drivers of clients satisfaction in technology-enabled service: Study of Nigerian GSM subscribers

Rapid diffusion of mobile telephone services is accompanied with low satisfaction and high switching behavior many markets.Despite the popularity of technology diffusion studies in marketing literature, limited research concentrate on the impact of marketing mix variables vis-à-vis clients’ satisfaction. Much fewer studies were conducted in developing nations.This paper investigates the influence of marketing mix on clients’ satisfaction with innovation adoption in Nigerian GSM market.Building on Technology Adoption Life-Cycle Model and extensive literature review, six constructs were theoretically developed and statistically validated.Multiple regression run on a sample of 373 subscribers drawn from four universities, indicates the five marketing mix variables predict 52% of the variance on clients’ satisfaction.Furthermore beta coefficients revealed Core Service (0.38) makes the strongest unique contribution in explaining clients’ Satisfaction followed by Pricing at 0.22, while Distribution (0.072) is the only variable not making significant contribution to the model

Early containment of fast network worm malware

This paper presents a countermeasure mechanism for the propagation of fast network worm malware. The mechanism uses a cross layer architecture with a detection technique at the network layer to identify worm infection and a data-link containment solution to block an identified infected host. A software prototype of the mechanism has been used to demonstrate its effective. An empirical analysis of network worm propagation has been conducted to test the mechanism. The results show that the developed mechanism is effective in containing self-propagating malware with almost no false positives

Corporate Reputation on Performance of Banking Industries in Nigeria: Using PLS-SEM Tool of Analysis

This analysis examines the influence of corporate reputation on performance of banking industries in Kano state North-West of Nigeria. A survey with 384 qualified observations from financial institutions’ customers in Kano was conducted. Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) was used as an alternative to covariance-based SEM, which provides researcher with some flexibility in terms of model complexity and relationship specification.. The model shows corporate reputation that is a reflective construct that has a significant direct effect on performance. The results, besides indicating the suitability of the PLS in statistical analysis, has also contributed to a better understanding of Banking customer in Kano which hitherto has not been tested. Findings are useful for policy makers, management of banking industries and practitioners to enhance corporate reputation, Implications for research and practice and future recommendations are discussed. Keywords: Corporate Reputation, Performance, Banking Industries, PLS-SEM, Nigeria

External Debt and Domestic Debt impact on the growth of the Nigerian Economy

The rationale for this paper is to establish the relationship between economic growth, external debt and domestic debt in Nigeria. Debt has become inevitable phenomenon in Nigeria, despite its oil wealth. This paper therefore is set to investigate the impact of external debt, and domestic debt on economic growth in Nigeria between 1970-2010 through the application of Ordinary least square method to establish a simple relationship between the variables under study, Augmented Dickey-Fuller technique in testing the unit root property of the series and Granger causality test of causation between GDP, external debt and domestic debt. The results of unit root suggest that all the variables in the model are stationary and the results of Causality suggest that there is a bi-directional causation between external debt and GDP while no causation existed between domestic debt and GDP as well no causation existed between external debt and domestic debt. The results of OLS also revealed that external debt possessed a negative impact on economic growth while domestic debt has impacted positively on economic growth (GDP). A good performance of an economy in terms of per capita growth may therefore be attributed to the level of domestic debt and not on the level of external debt in the country; therefore external debt is seen as inimical to the economic progress of a country. The paper found that domestic debts if properly manage can lead to high growth level. A major policy implication of this result is that concerted effort be made by policy makers to manage the debt effectively by channeling them to productive activities (real sector) so as to increase the level of output in Nigeria, hence achieving the desire level of growth. Another policy implication of the study is that most developing countries contract debt for selfish reasons rather than for the promotion of economic growth through investment in capital formation and other social overhead capital. Thus, the paper also recommends that government should rely more on domestic debt in stimulating growth rather than external debt. Government should formulate policies aimed at encouraging domestic savings vis-à-vis domestic investment. The need for borrowing is due to gap between domestic savings and investment; therefore, bridging the gap can be a likely solution to Nigeria’s debt accumulation. For debt to promote growth in Nigeria and other highly indebted countries fiscal discipline and high sense of responsibility in handling public funds should be the Watchword of these countries’ leaders. Debt can only be reduced to the barest minimum by increasing output level (GDP)

Management control system package, risk culture and performance of listed Nigerian firms

This study examines the relationship between management control system (MCS) package (planning, cybernetic, administrative, cultural, and reward and compensation control) and Nigerian listed firms‘ performance as well as the moderating effect of risk culture on the relationship. This study focuses on MCS package due to the limited attention given in prior studies to the interplay of elements of control. In addition, practitioners in developing countries have failed to recognise the influence of risk culture on firm performance. This quantitative study used the cross-sectional method to collect data from 186 listed Nigerian firms via a close-ended questionnaire. The data were analysed using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method to test 19 postulated hypotheses. The resource-based view (RBV) theory is adopted as the underlying theory to explain the relationship. The results show that 12 hypotheses are supported. The findings indicate that planning control, cybernetic control and reward and compensation control have a significant positive relationship with the firm performance. Similarly, the MCS package, which comprises the five elements of control, is found to have a significantly positive relationship with firm performance and risk culture demonstrates a moderating effect on the relationship. The outcome of this study provides remarkable insights into MCS package and risk culture as they are found to have an influence on firm performance, which is of paramount importance to the success of firms. This study adds to the existing literature by applying the resource-based view theory concern with the MCS package as internal capabilities to enhance firm performance. This study also highlights the role of risk culture to enhance firm performance. Practically, the findings will benefit regulators and managers in discharging their regulatory and managerial responsibilities. Investors and other interest groups will also benefit from the study in their decisions on firm performance

Globalization and its impact on the performance of the Nigerian Economy

This paper investigates the impact of globalization on the performance of the Nigerian economy ‘between’ 1962-2009 through the application of simple Annual Average Growth Rate (AAGR) technique. The comparative analysis of growth of key sectors of the Nigerian economy (agriculture, petroleum, manufacturing, solid minerals, transport and communication sectors) between Pre-globalization (Pre-SAP; 1962-1985) and Post globalization periods (Post-SAP; 1986-2009). The study reveals that ‘‘globalization’’ had had positive impact on some sectors of the economy especially, agriculture, transportation and communication; while negative impact on some sectors especially petroleum, manufacturing, and solid minerals. Globalization had had positive impact on the overall performance of the economy which is measured by GDP. This implies that despite its negative impact on some sectors of the economy; still is beneficial to the growth of the economy. This paper therefore, recommends that concerted effort need to be taken by government and policy makers to boost the performance of the sectors negatively impacted by globalization especially petroleum which is the largest contributor to GDP in recent time in the country, followed by manufacturing and solid minerals with the view to diversifying the economy. The paper also recommends that crude petroleum should be refined before exporting in order to benefit more from globalization. Another policy implication of this study is that inflation and unemployment may be successfully control if the rate at which Nigerian economy is globalized reduces to some level (i.e. openness of the economy be reduce)

Botnet detection from drive-by downloads

The advancement in Information Technology has brought about an advancement in the development and deployment of malware. Bot Malware have brought about immense compromise in computer security. Various ways for the deployment of such bots have been devised by attackers and they are becoming stealthier and more evasive by the day. Detecting such bots has proven to be difficult even though there are various detection techniques. In this work, a packet capturing and analysis technique for detecting host-based bots on their characteristics and behavior is proposed. The system captures network traffic first, to establish normal traffic, then already captured botnet traffic was used to test the system. The system filters out HTTP packets and analyses these packets to further filter out botnet traffic from normal internet traffic. The system was able to detect malicious packets with a False Positive Rate of 0.2 and accuracy of 99.91%