Internet worms are often designed to exploit new security issues, and search for systems that haven’t installed current software or operating system security updates. A computer virus is a program made of malicious code that can propagate itself from device to device. What is a Computer Virus Computer viruses are named after human viruses that spread from person to person. Both viruses and worms are a type of malware: a worm is a type of virus. Some worms have a phishing component that entices users to run the malicious code. Viruses and worms are often used interchangeably: there are a few key differences in how they work. Once downloaded, the worm takes advantage of a weakness in its target system or tricks a user into executing it.

The worm is often transmitted via file-sharing networks, information-transport features, email attachments or by clicking links to malicious websites. Viruses used to be spread when people shared floppy disks and other. Viruses need a host computer or operating system. Some viruses are harmless, others may damage data files, and some may destroy files. Worms often utilize large amounts of memory and bandwidth, so affected servers, networks and individual systems are often overloaded and stop responding.īut worms are not viruses. Worms cause damage similar to viruses, exploiting holes in security software and potentially stealing sensitive information, corrupting files and installing a back door for remote access to the system, among other issues. A worm virus is a malicious, self-replicating program that can spread throughout a network without human assistance.

How does worm virus work