Questions and Answers
What is a computer worm?
A standalone malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers
How does a computer worm spread?
It uses a computer network and relies on security failures to access the target computer
What distinguishes a computer worm from a computer virus?
Worms almost always cause harm to the network, while viruses corrupt or modify files on the targeted computer
Who first used the term 'worm' in the context of malware?
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How did the Internet Worm created by R. Morris affect computers?
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Study Notes
What is a Computer Worm?
- A computer worm is a type of malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers without the need for human interaction.
How does a Computer Worm Spread?
- A computer worm spreads by exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or applications, allowing it to travel from computer to computer without the need for a host file.
Computer Worm vs. Computer Virus
- A computer worm differs from a computer virus in that it can replicate and spread independently, whereas a virus requires a host file to spread.
Origin of the Term 'Worm'
- The term 'worm' in the context of malware was first used by John Brunner in his 1975 science fiction novel "The Shockwave Rider".
The Internet Worm
- In 1988, Robert Tappan Morris created the Internet Worm, which affected around 6,000 computers and slowed down the entire internet.
- The Internet Worm exploited vulnerabilities in Unix-based systems, leading to a significant disruption of the early internet.
