
Abstract
Computers in developing regions often lack the Internet
connectivity and network bandwidth necessary to consistently
download and apply software updates and security patches.
However, even unconnected computers contract viruses and
malware through the sharing of USB flash drives and other
removable media. This paper introduces FlashPatch, a system
for distributing software updates to computers in such areas by
having software updates “piggy-back” on the existing flow of flash
drives in rural regions. FlashPatch requires no changes in user
behavior once the software has been installed. We implemented a
proof-of-concept FlashPatch prototype and evaluated it in a field
trial in Ghana. We present data on the prevalence and spread
of viruses at our study site and offer experimental evidence of
FlashPatch’s effectiveness from a nine-month field trial. We found
that FlashPatch provided additional antivirus protection to 30% of
the machines in our study without imposing any tangible burdens
on the system owners.
Materials