Network switches for detection and prevention of virus attacks

A network switch for use in a computer network, comprising:

• a plurality of ports each for connecting to a computer in the computer network;
• a switching control programmed to route routing packets between the ports by forwarding a packet received from an incoming port to a destination port;
• and
• a virus scanner programmed to scan the packets for virus signatures.

A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for a network switch having a plurality of ports connectable to a plurality of network computers to perform steps comprising:

• receiving a packet from a first port;
• identifying, from information in the packet, a second port to which the packet is to be forwarded;
• scanning the packet for viruses;
• forwarding the packet to the second port.

A method for detecting virus attacks and sources of the virus attacks in a computer network, comprising:

• connecting at least one network switch to a plurality of computers in the computer network, the network switch having a plurality of ports connected to respective ones of the plurality of computers;
• and
• operating the network switch to perform the steps of:
• receiving a packet from a first port;
• identifying a second port to which the packet is to be forwarded;
• scanning the packet for viruses;
• forwarding the packet to the second port.