A computer worm is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. Often, it uses a computer network to spread itself, relying on security failures on the target computer to access it. Unlike a computer virus, it does not need to attach itself to an existing program. Worms almost always cause at least some harm to the network, even if only by consuming bandwidth, whereas viruses almost always corrupt or modify files on a targeted computer.
Read more about Computer Worm: Payloads, Worms With Good Intent, Protecting Against Dangerous Computer Worms, Mitigation Techniques, History
Famous quotes containing the words computer and/or worm:
“The Buddha, the Godhead, resides quite as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain or in the petals of a flower.”
—Robert M. Pirsig (b. 1928)
“The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)