Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method

The applications of computer networks are increasingly extensive, and networks can be remotely controlled and monitored. Cyber hackers can exploit vulnerabilities and steal crucial data or conduct remote surveillance through malicious programs. The frequency of malware attacks is increasing, and mal...

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Main Authors: Cheng-Jian Lin, Min-Su Huang, Chin-Ling Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12937
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author Cheng-Jian Lin
Min-Su Huang
Chin-Ling Lee
author_facet Cheng-Jian Lin
Min-Su Huang
Chin-Ling Lee
author_sort Cheng-Jian Lin
collection DOAJ
description The applications of computer networks are increasingly extensive, and networks can be remotely controlled and monitored. Cyber hackers can exploit vulnerabilities and steal crucial data or conduct remote surveillance through malicious programs. The frequency of malware attacks is increasing, and malicious programs are constantly being updated. Therefore, more effective malware detection techniques are being developed. In this paper, a convolutional fuzzy neural network (CFNN) based on feature fusion and the Taguchi method is proposed for malware image classification; this network is referred to as FT-CFNN. Four fusion methods are proposed for the FT-CFNN, namely global max pooling fusion, global average pooling fusion, channel global max pooling fusion, and channel global average pooling fusion. Data are fed into this network architecture and then passed through two convolutional layers and two max pooling layers. The feature fusion layer is used to reduce the feature size and integrate the network information. Finally, a fuzzy neural network is used for classification. In addition, the Taguchi method is used to determine optimal parameter combinations to improve classification accuracy. This study used the Malimg dataset to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed classification method. The accuracy values exhibited by the proposed FT-CFNN, proposed CFNN, and original LeNet model in malware family classification were 98.61%, 98.13%, and 96.68%, respectively.
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spelling doaj.art-2e734ee26d544177a39f4844b3435fab2023-11-24T13:07:20ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-12-0112241293710.3390/app122412937Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi MethodCheng-Jian Lin0Min-Su Huang1Chin-Ling Lee2Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, TaiwanDepartment of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, TaiwanDepartment of International Business, National Taichung University of Science and Technology, Taichung 404, TaiwanThe applications of computer networks are increasingly extensive, and networks can be remotely controlled and monitored. Cyber hackers can exploit vulnerabilities and steal crucial data or conduct remote surveillance through malicious programs. The frequency of malware attacks is increasing, and malicious programs are constantly being updated. Therefore, more effective malware detection techniques are being developed. In this paper, a convolutional fuzzy neural network (CFNN) based on feature fusion and the Taguchi method is proposed for malware image classification; this network is referred to as FT-CFNN. Four fusion methods are proposed for the FT-CFNN, namely global max pooling fusion, global average pooling fusion, channel global max pooling fusion, and channel global average pooling fusion. Data are fed into this network architecture and then passed through two convolutional layers and two max pooling layers. The feature fusion layer is used to reduce the feature size and integrate the network information. Finally, a fuzzy neural network is used for classification. In addition, the Taguchi method is used to determine optimal parameter combinations to improve classification accuracy. This study used the Malimg dataset to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed classification method. The accuracy values exhibited by the proposed FT-CFNN, proposed CFNN, and original LeNet model in malware family classification were 98.61%, 98.13%, and 96.68%, respectively.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12937malware image classificationconvolutional neural networkfuzzy theoryTaguchi methodfeature fusion
spellingShingle Cheng-Jian Lin
Min-Su Huang
Chin-Ling Lee
Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method
Applied Sciences
malware image classification
convolutional neural network
fuzzy theory
Taguchi method
feature fusion
title Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method
title_full Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method
title_fullStr Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method
title_full_unstemmed Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method
title_short Malware Classification Using Convolutional Fuzzy Neural Networks Based on Feature Fusion and the Taguchi Method
title_sort malware classification using convolutional fuzzy neural networks based on feature fusion and the taguchi method
topic malware image classification
convolutional neural network
fuzzy theory
Taguchi method
feature fusion
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/24/12937
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AT minsuhuang malwareclassificationusingconvolutionalfuzzyneuralnetworksbasedonfeaturefusionandthetaguchimethod
AT chinlinglee malwareclassificationusingconvolutionalfuzzyneuralnetworksbasedonfeaturefusionandthetaguchimethod