Cybersecurity Questions
A virus and a worm are both types of malicious software, but they differ in how they spread and operate.
A virus is a program that attaches itself to a file or program and requires user interaction to spread. It typically infects a host file or program and then spreads when the infected file or program is shared or transferred to another system. Viruses often cause damage to files, corrupt data, or disrupt the normal functioning of a computer system. They can also replicate themselves and spread to other files or programs on the same computer or network.
On the other hand, a worm is a standalone program that can spread and replicate itself without requiring user interaction. It takes advantage of vulnerabilities in computer networks or operating systems to self-propagate and spread to other computers or devices connected to the network. Worms can spread rapidly and cause significant damage by consuming network bandwidth, overloading systems, or installing additional malicious software.
In summary, the main difference between a virus and a worm is that a virus requires user interaction to spread, while a worm can spread automatically without user intervention.