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How does a 'worm' differ from a standard computer virus?
It requires a host file to replicate
It spreads through network vulnerabilities without needing a host file
It is a hardware-based threat
It only deletes text files
It spreads through network vulnerabilities without needing a host file
A computer worm is a standalone malware program that replicates itself to spread to other computers without requiring a host file or human intervention. Unlike a virus, which requires attachment to an executable file, a worm exploits network vulnerabilities to propagate across connected systems.
ISO/IEC 27001
A computer worm is a standalone malware program that replicates itself to spread to other computers without requiring a host file or human intervention. Unlike a virus, which requires attachment to an executable file, a worm exploits network vulnerabilities to propagate across connected systems.
RsтАЛ=N├ЧPiтАЛ тАФ where RsтАЛ is the rate of spread, N is the number of target hosts, and PiтАЛ is the infection probability per unit time.
Worms operate by scanning a network for specific vulnerabilities, such as unpatched software or weak authentication protocols. Once a target is identified, the worm sends a copy of itself to the target host, executes, and begins searching for further targets. This rapid, autonomous propagation allows worms to consume significant network bandwidth, often causing a Denial of Service (DoS) effect on the infrastructure.
Worms do not require human activation (e.g., opening a file) to initiate propagation.
Viruses rely on human action (e.g., executing an infected attachment) to trigger their code.
Worms are self-contained executable programs; viruses are code fragments inserted into existing files.
Propagation occurs predominantly at the transport and application layers of the OSI model.
| Feature | Virus | Worm |
|---|---|---|
Requirement of Host | Yes, requires executable files | No, standalone entity |
Propagation Mechanism | Human intervention (sharing/execution) | Automated network exploitation |
Option A describes a computer virus, which infects host files like .exe or .sys.
Option C is incorrect as malware exists in software form, not hardware, although firmware attacks are distinct.
Option D is false; worms are designed for propagation and resource exhaustion, not file deletion.
B is correct тАФ A worm spreads autonomously through network vulnerabilities without needing a host file to attach itself to.
In exams, remember that viruses need a 'host' (like a parasite), while worms are 'autonomous' (like an independent organism) in their spreading behavior.