A worm in computer terms is a type of malware that self-replicates and spreads from one computer to another, often over a network, without needing a person to click or open it first. It can slow systems down, overload networks, and sometimes carry other malicious payloads too.

Quick scoop

  • Self-spreading: A worm copies itself automatically.
  • Network-based: It often moves through network vulnerabilities or shared connections.
  • Standalone: Unlike a virus, it does not need to attach itself to another file or program to spread.
  • Impact: It can consume bandwidth, degrade performance, and disrupt devices or services.

Worm vs. virus

Feature| Worm| Virus
---|---|---
Needs user action to spread| No, usually not| Often yes 13
Attaches to another file/program| No| Yes, typically 3
Spreads over networks| Commonly| Can, but usually through infected files or user activity 13

If you want, I can also give you a one-sentence definition, a real-world example, or how to protect against worms.