In this article, we’ll explain what exactly that difference is, how computer worms work, and how you can protect yourself from them. Others are extremely malicious and can have devastating consequences for businesses and individuals alike.īecause they self-copy and spread automatically, computer worms are different from viruses and other forms of malware. Some worms are merely a nuisance, as they eat up bandwidth and memory on devices, slowing down performance and connections. Worms do this without the victims being aware it’s happening. Once a computer worm has wriggled its way onto a computer, it’s able to replicate and spread through servers, networks, and other devices. Want to learn more about computer worms and how to prevent them? Read the full article below.Ĭomputer worms are a particularly persistent, disruptive, and hard-to-detect form of malware. For the first line of defense against this malware, check out our top 5 antivirus programs. Though computer worms aren’t technically considered viruses, premium antivirus software programs provide protection against them. File-sharing worms (through torrenting).Internet worms (through unsecured websites).

Instant messaging worms (via social media).

There are many different types of worms, some more dangerous than others: Once the breach has occurred, the worm is able to spread all by itself across connected devices and networks. A computer worm must first be downloaded onto a device, typically through clicking a phishing email link, downloading a malicious attachment, or falling victim to a social engineering attack. Computer worms are a type of malware that’s able to replicate itself across computers, operating systems, and entire networks without human interaction.

How does worm virus work