Worm
Computer Worm
A malicious program that copies itself over a network and spreads to other computers without permission.
In Simple Terms
A worm is a malicious program that makes copies of itself and multiplies entirely on its own, without needing to attach itself to another program. It can sneak in just from opening an email attachment or connecting to a network with weak security. Once inside a computer, it creates huge numbers of copies of itself and sends them out to other connected computers, spreading the damage further and further.
Behind the Name
Worm means a small, wriggling creature in English. The name traces back to the science fiction novel The Shockwave Rider, which featured a self-replicating program called a "tapeworm" that kept multiplying as it spread through a network. Programs that copy themselves and spread in the same way came to be called "worms" because their behavior so closely resembled it.
Take a Closer Look!
A worm is a malicious program that moves around and multiplies entirely on its own, without needing to attach itself to other files or programs. It's similar to a computer virus, but a virus can only act by attaching itself to another program.
A worm, on the other hand, operates independently and can multiply purely through its own actions.
Put simply, a worm is like a highly contagious digital bug that starts moving all by itself. It spreads by sending out emails on its own and infecting computers through attachments, or by hunting for gaps in network security to slip through.
Once a computer is infected, it can slow down dramatically, have important files deleted without warning, or have its contents stolen.
To defend against worms, it's important to keep your system updated at all times and avoid opening suspicious emails. Installing security software and constantly monitoring the points where your network connects to the outside world also helps keep them out.
Combining these measures greatly improves your chances of stopping worms before they ever get in.