CYBERSECURITY HISTORY — First formal definition of “computer virus” In 1983, which researcher was the first to publish a formal definition of the term “computer virus” in the academic context?

Introduction / Context:
Cybersecurity terminology developed alongside early experiments in self-replicating code. Recognizing the origin of the formal definition of “computer virus” helps learners connect modern malware analysis to its academic roots.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers to the early 1980s research era.
• We seek the person credited with the first formal definition.
• Brand names like “McAfee” and “Norton” refer to companies or products, not the seminal definition.

Concept / Approach:
Fred Cohen, under the guidance of Professor Leonard Adleman, demonstrated and defined computer viruses in 1983–1984 in academic work, laying the conceptual groundwork for understanding replication and infection in software systems.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Recall: Fred Cohen is the researcher associated with the first definition.Identify “Cohen” among the options.Select it as the correct response.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historic papers and retrospectives cite Cohen’s experiments and definitions as the earliest formal treatment of viruses.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
McAfee / Norton — company founders linked to antivirus tools, not the original academic definition.Smith — unspecified; not the recognized source.Berners-Lee — inventor of the World Wide Web, unrelated to virus definitions.

Common Pitfalls:
Attributing the definition to popular antivirus brands due to name recognition. Academic credit rightly belongs to Fred Cohen.

Final Answer:
Cohen