What is the difference between a computer virus and a worm?

Question

Options

• AA virus can replicate by itself, whereas a worm requires user action to replicate.
• BA worm can replicate by itself, whereas a virus requires user action to replicate.
• CA worm can deposit an illicit server, whereas a virus cannot.
• DA virus can deposit an illicit server, whereas a worm cannot.

• B
  93% (37)
• C
  5% (2)
• D
  3% (1)

Explanation

Option B is correct because a worm is self-replicating and spreads across networks autonomously without any user interaction, while a virus must attach itself to a legitimate file or program and relies on a user to execute that file to propagate.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A has the definitions exactly backwards - it attributes self-replication to the virus and user-dependency to the worm, which is the opposite of reality.
• C and D introduce the concept of deploying a "payload" (like a backdoor server), but both viruses and worms can deliver malicious payloads - neither has an exclusive monopoly on this behavior, making both options factually incorrect.

Memory tip: Think of a worm like a biological earthworm - it moves on its own through the soil (network) without any help. A virus, like a biological virus, needs a host (an executable file) and a vector (user action) to spread.

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