{"id":432,"date":"2023-04-11T12:48:57","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T12:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/?p=432"},"modified":"2023-07-14T07:35:49","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:35:49","slug":"worm-virus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dataprot.net\/articles\/worm-virus\/","title":{"rendered":"Worm Virus: What Is It & How Does It Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When you visualize a worm, you\u2019re likely thinking of a pink-colored or reddish-brown invertebrate that you find in your garden or as bait for fishing. However, when we talk about the malware form of worms, they\u2019re hardly helpful to the soil or angling but are very<\/strong> dangerous for our computers and personal data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this brief article, we\u2019ll talk about the worm virus, explain how it works, and discuss how you can keep your computer free of this pesky form of malware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Computer worms are malware programs that can make copies of themselves. A computer worm replicating itself aims to make copies that can infect other computers. While most malware is isolated to the infected device<\/a>, worm viruses are designed to spread to other devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do computer worms work? They target computer networks, using the link to infect device after device. The first infected computer is regarded as the host, and the worm will burrow through the gaps in the network security to get to the other computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once in, a worm can cause several problems for the computer and its owner. It can infect the device with other malware, delete important files, steal data, reduce the space on your hard drive, consume bandwidth, overload networks<\/strong> or open a backdoor for other intrusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Worm viruses belong to the Trojan horse malware famil<\/strong>y. As the name implies, they are malicious programs that gain entry using deception and security breaches, just like in the old Greek myth. Device owners often run trojan programs without realizing it, as they’re designed to look like legitimate software<\/a>. This deception is accomplished using social engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may be wondering what the difference between a worm and a virus<\/a> is, and in truth, they aren\u2019t all that different. Both are malicious programs, but where a traditional virus can only do damage to one device<\/a>, worm viruses will replicate themselves<\/strong> immediately the moment this malware worms its way into the services and systems on a device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary characteristic of a computer worm is that it spreads and infects other computers<\/strong>. So how does it accomplish this feat?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is probably the most popular means of infection. It comes in the form of authentic-looking emails that are actually carriers of the worm malware. The worm typically hides in infected attachments and files. The emails may also contain links to websites or services laden with worm viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spear-phishing is a lot like phishing, only it\u2019s a more specific attack that targets specific users with the aim of infecting their devices with ransomware. After infection, select data or even the entire hard disk becomes locked by encryption, and the only way to regain access is to pay a ransom to the scammers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this method, worms use the LAN or WAN to replicate across computers sharing the same access. This is most likely to happen in a workplace or a cafe with multiple computers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some worm malware programs are designed to capitalize on breaches or gaps in the network or software security. The worm virus exploits vulnerabilities to gain access to a device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sharing files through peer-to-peer networks can serve as an effective method of worm malware infection, crossing from one computer to another easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Is a Computer Worm?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is the Main Difference Between a Worm and a Virus?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Does a Computer Worm Infect Devices?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Phishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spear-Phishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shared Networks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Security Gaps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
File Sharing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Social Networks and Instant Messaging Platforms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n