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The primary difference between a virus and a worm is that viruses must be triggered by the activation of their host; whereas worms are stand-alone malicious programs that can self-replicate and propagate independently as soon as they have breached the system. Worms do not require activation—or any human intervention—to execute or spread their code. Viruses are often attached or concealed in shared or downloaded files, both executable files—a program that runs script—and non-executable files such as a Word document or an image file. When the host file is accepted or loaded by a target system, the virus remains dormant until the infected host file is activated. Only after the host file is activated, can the virus run, executing malicious code and replicating to infect other files on your system. In contrast, worms don't require the activation of their host file. Once a worm has entered your system, usually via a network connection or as a downloaded file, it can then run, self-replicate and propagate without a triggering event. A worm makes multiple copies of itself which then spread across the network or through an internet connection. These copies will infect any inadequately protected computers and servers that connect—via the network or internet—to the originally infected device. Because each subsequent copy of a worm repeats this process of self-replication, execution and propagation, worm-based infections spread rapidly across computer networks and the internet at large. How Do Computer Viruses and Worms Spread?Viruses and worms are a subcategory of malicious programs, aka malware. Any program in this subcategory malware can also have additional Trojan functions. Viruses Viruses can be classified according to the method that they use to infect a computer
Worms Worms often exploit network configuration errors or security loopholes in the operating system (OS) or applications Many worms use multiple methods to spread across networks, including the following:
How to Protect All Your Devices from Viruses and WormsViruses, worms and malware most often exploit security vulnerabilities and bugs. For this reason, it is crucial to keep current with all OS and application updates and patches. Unfortunately, keeping current with updates and being vigilant simply are enough. There are many exploits and vectors that can get viruses and worms into a network or onto a computer or mobile device. These days, comprehensive cyber security is mandatory for all your devices—desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones. To be effective, cyber security solutions must provide real-time protection for all your activities, from emails to internet browsing, not just periodic hard drive scans. Furthermore, today’s best security software products are not static one-time installations with periodic updates. A quality cyber security product is provided as a service, known as SaaS (Software-as-a-Service). This means that in addition to monitoring your devices in real-time, the software itself is updated in real-time with the most current information about existing and emerging threats, how to prevent them and how to repair their damage. Related Articles:
What’s the Difference between a Virus and a Worm?Virus vs Worm: Viruses are dormant until their host file is activated. Worms are malware that self-replicate & propagate independently once in the system.
Is a computer program that replicates and propagates itself without having to attach?A computer worm duplicates itself to spread to uninfected computers. It often does this by exploiting parts of an operating system that are automatic and invisible to the user. Typically, a user only notices a worm when its uncontrolled replication consumes system resources and slows or halts other tasks.
What do you call a program that replicates itself?A virus is a computer program that replicates itself by modifying system or application software and then traveling from computer to computer, via disks or a network. Most viruses are harmless, but some viruses can erase files on your hard drive, slow down your computer, or do other kinds of damage.
What is a program that replicates itself and infects computers?Definition(s): A computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer without permission or knowledge of the user. A virus might corrupt or delete data on a computer, use e-mail programs to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on a hard disk. See malicious code.
Which is a selfViruses are said to be self-replicating programs and date back as far as the early 1970s, but they only became well known with the advent of microcomputers and later, the internet. Viruses attach themselves to specific applications on a computer and are activated when the program is first run.
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