The Difference Between a Virus, a Worm, and a Trojan Horse

Malware

The most common mistake when talking about a computer virus is to talk about viruses to refer to a worm or a Trojan horse. The terms Trojan horse, worm, and virus are generally used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Viruses, worms, and Trojans are malicious programs, all three of which can harm your computer, but in different ways. Knowing these differences can help you better protect your computer from their often destructive effects.

Knowing the Differences Can Help You Better Protect Your Computer

A computer virus attaches itself to a program or file from which it can spread from one computer to another, sowing infections wherever it goes. Much like human viruses, computer viruses can be more or less serious: some viruses only have mild disturbing effects, while others can damage your hardware, software, or files. Almost all viruses are included in an executable file, which means that the virus may be present on your computer, but in reality, it cannot infect it if you do not run or open the program. It is important to note that a virus cannot spread without human intervention, such as running an infected program. People help spread

A worm is similar to a virus by design. It is considered to be a subclass of viruses. Worms spread from computer to computer, but unlike viruses, they are able to travel without human intervention. A worm takes advantage of your system's information or file transfer functions, which allow it to travel without intervention. The greatest danger a worm poses is its ability to reproduce itself in your system, and instead of shipping a single worm, your computer can ship hundreds or thousands of copies, with devastating effect. For example, a worm can send a copy of itself to everyone listed in your email address book. Then the worm reproduces itself and sends itself to everyone in each recipient's address book, and the phenomenon continues indefinitely. Due to its ability to replicate and travel across networks, the worm consumes too much system memory (or network bandwidth), which saturates web servers, network servers, and individual computers. who then stop responding. In the most recent worm attacks, like the notorious.Blaster Worm., The worm was designed to tunnel into your system, allowing malicious users to control your computer remotely. the worm consumes too much system memory (or network bandwidth), saturating web servers, network servers, and individual computers, which then stop responding. In the most recent worm attacks, like the notorious.Blaster Worm., The worm was designed to tunnel into your system, allowing malicious users to control your computer remotely. the worm consumes too much system memory (or network bandwidth), saturating web servers, network servers, and individual computers, which then stop responding. In the most recent worm attacks, like the notorious.Blaster Worm., The worm was designed to tunnel into your system, allowing malicious users to control your computer remotely.

A Trojan horse is not a virus. It is a destruction program that has the appearance of a legitimate application. Unlike viruses, Trojans do not replicate themselves, but they can be just as destructive. Trojans also open a clandestine door of entry into your computer to give access to malicious programs or users, which allows them to steal your personal and confidential information.

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