Understanding the Key Differences Between Worms and Computer Viruses
Learn how worms and computer viruses differ in their behavior and mechanisms of spreading.
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A worm is a type of malware that can self-replicate and spread to other computers without human intervention. A computer virus requires a host file to attach to and usually spreads through human action, such as opening an infected email attachment. Key difference: worms spread autonomously, while viruses need a host and user action.
FAQs & Answers
- What is a computer worm? A computer worm is a type of malware that can self-replicate and spread to other devices without requiring human action.
- How does a computer virus work? A computer virus attaches itself to a host file and spreads when the host file is accessed, often requiring user action to execute.
- Can worms cause harm to my computer? Yes, worms can use network resources and cause damage or slow down computer performance by replicating excessively.
- What are the signs of a computer virus? Signs of a virus include slow computer performance, unexpected crashes, and unusual error messages.