Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:
A worm is a type of self-replicating malware that can spread across networks without attaching itself to a host program or file. Worms exploit vulnerabilities in network protocols, operating systems, or software to move from one device to another automatically. Once inside a system, they can consume bandwidth, overload systems, install backdoors, or deliver additional malicious payloads.
Key characteristics of a worm include:
Standalone malware: Does not need to embed itself in another program.
Self-replicating and network-aware: Designed to spread rapidly across networks.
Often automatic propagation: Requires little or no user interaction once launched.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. Ransomware – Ransomware encrypts data and demands payment but is usually delivered via another malware vector (like a trojan or phishing email). It is not defined by independent network-spreading behavior.
B. Trojan horse – A trojan disguises itself as legitimate software to trick users into installing it. It does not self-replicate across networks.
D. Virus – A virus requires a host program or file to attach to and typically spreads when that file is shared or executed. This is explicitly different from a worm, which does not need to attach to a file or program.
Therefore, the correct answer is C. Worm, as it is the threat type that spreads independently across networks without needing a host file or program.
[Reference:Information Technology Management study materials – Cybersecurity Fundamentals: Malware Types and Characteristics., ==================================================, ]
