Which of the following malicious software travels across computer networks without the assistance of a user?

A worm is defined by its ability to self-replicate and spread across networks autonomously by exploiting vulnerabilities, open network shares, or other vectors without requiring any user action. Unlike viruses that must attach to a host file, or Trojans that require user execution, worms travel independently - making autonomous propagation their defining technical characteristic.

A virus must attach itself to a host file or program and depends on a user executing that infected file before it can spread to other systems.

A hoax is not malicious software at all but rather a deceptive message or false warning designed to mislead users, and it does not self-propagate across networks.

A Trojan horse disguises itself as legitimate software and requires a user to voluntarily run it, as it has no self-replication or autonomous spreading capability.