What distinguishes a worm from other types of malware?

A worm is distinct from other types of malware primarily because it has the ability to self-replicate without the need for human activation. This characteristic enables worms to spread automatically across networks and devices, often exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or software without requiring the user to open a file or click a link. This autonomous propagation makes worms particularly dangerous, as they can proliferate rapidly and cause widespread damage or disruption.

In contrast, other forms of malware, such as viruses, typically require some form of user interaction to initiate their spread, like opening an infected file. Some malware types are heavily geared toward specific objectives, such as data theft, but a worm’s main trait lies in its self-replicating feature rather than a focused aim. Moreover, while worms may occasionally attach to files, unlike viruses, their main mechanism of spreading does not involve attaching themselves to existing programs.