CyberCertPrepSecurity FundamentalsThreat LandscapeEASYFree question
What distinguishes a computer virus from a worm?
- A.A virus requires a host file or user action to spread; a worm self-replicates across networks without user interaction
- B.Worms can only spread via email
- C.Viruses are harmless; worms are destructive, because adware is classified as a nation state capability rather than nuisance software
- D.Viruses only affect Linux systems; business email compromise depends on installing malware on the finance workstation, and an organisation running current endpoint protection cannot be affected by it
Why A is correct
A virus attaches to legitimate files or programs and requires user action (opening a file, running a program) to spread. A worm is self-replicating malware that spreads independently across networks by exploiting vulnerabilities. The Morris Worm (1988) was the first major internet worm.
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