What is the Difference Between Virus and Worm?

The Difference Between Virus and Worm in a computer is that the primary goal of viruses is to alter information. However, the primary goal of a worm is to consume system resources. Worms are similar to viruses, but they do not change the program.

Is virus more harmful than worm?

A worm is more harmful than a virus as it spreads faster . For instance, a worm could infect all email contacts. Worms are not dependent on a host file like a virus and can transmit themselves to thousands of computers without human assistance.

What is the difference between virus and worm and Trojan?

The Difference Between Virus and Worm and Trojan is given as follows: A virus must be activated by its host. Worms are stand-alone hostile programs that can self-replicate and proliferate autonomously after they have entered the system. A Trojan Horse is a type of malware that captures sensitive data from a system or a network.

What is a computer virus?

A computer virus is a malicious software replicating itself and adding its own code when executed. A virus travels from one software program to the next. The different types of viruses are Polymorphic virus, Macro virus, Space filler virus, Overwrite virus, File Infector virus, etc.

What is the difference between Virus and Worm in terms of spreading speed?

Based on the speed, the Difference Between Virus and Worm is that the spreading speed of the virus is slower than worms as it needs human action to replicate. While worms spread faster as they do not need human action to replicate.

What kind of damage may a worm cause?

Worms, like viruses, damage by exploiting software vulnerabilities and possibly stealing important information , damaging data, and creating a back door enabling unauthorized access to the device, among other difficulties.

Differentiate between a boot-sector computer virus and the Morris internet worm.

The difference between a boot-sector computer virus and the Morris internet worm is that a boot-sector virus is malware that infects the storage sector of a computer where startup files are located. Morris's internet worm was the first public attack on computer systems, but its code poses no danger today.

A computer worm is a self-contained harmful program that, if installed, can cause harm or damage to the device. The following are the different types of computer worms: Internet worms Instant messaging worms Email worms File sharing worms Internet relay chat (IRC) worms.

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Difference Between Virus and Worm – Virus vs Worm

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

A vital difference between Virus and Worm is that virus must be activated by its host, whereas a worm is a stand-alone malicious program that may self-replicate and spread once they have gained access to the system. Worms execute and disseminate their programming without requiring activation or human involvement. Both computer viruses and worms harm the computer device. A worm is more harmful than a virus as it spreads faster. Worms are not dependent on a host file like a virus.

Difference Between Virus and Worm PDF

Even though Computer viruses and worms are very similar in functionality, there are various differences between viruses and worms. The primary difference between Virus vs Worm in their goal is that viruses are to change information, while worm consumes system resources. Below one can understand the difference between Virus and Worm in a computer system and the factors that make worms and viruses different.

Table of content

1. Difference Between Virus and Worm
2. Virus and Worms
3. What is Virus?
4. What is Worm?
5. Key Difference Between Virus and Worm

Difference Between Virus and Worm

Computer viruses and worms are both capable of causing damage to a computer system. Hence, these two aren’t exactly the same. Let’s discuss the main Difference Between Virus and Worm in the table below.

Virus vs Worm

Difference Between Virus and Worm
Computer Virus	Computer Worm
When a virus infects a file, the harmful code is copied and spreads across the host computer whenever subsequent files are opened.	To penetrate the gadget, a worm just needs a medium. This might be done via the internet, email, messaging apps, etc.
A virus takes less time to spread across the system than a worm.	A worm can spread swiftly through a device.
A virus is a destructive executable code attached to another executable file and can modify or erase data.	A worm is a type of malware that can replicate itself and spread over a network of computers.
It necessitates the presence of a host to spread.	It can replicate from one computer to another without using a host.
Types of computer viruses are as follows: Boot sector virus Direct Action Virus File Infector virus Macro virus Polymorphic virus Overwrite virus Space filler virus	Types of computer worms are: Internet relay chat (IRC) worms File sharing worms Instant messaging worms Internet worms Email worms
The primary goal of viruses is to alter information.	Worms’ primary goal is to consume system resources.
Virus prevention is provided by antivirus software.	Antivirus and firewall software can identify and eliminate worms.
Viruses are incapable of being manipulated remotely.	Remote control of worms is possible.

Virus and Worms

A virus is a harmful executable code attached to another executable file and can modify or erase data. When a computer software infected with a virus executes, it takes action, such as deleting a file from the computer system. Worms are similar to viruses, but they do not alter the program.

What is Virus?

Viruses are incapable of being manipulated remotely. Viruses are frequently attached to or hidden in shared or downloaded files, both executable (a program that runs a script) and non-executable (a document or an image file).

The virus remains dormant until the infected host file is activated once it is accepted or loaded by a target machine.
The virus can only run after the host file has been activated, executing malicious code and replicating it to infect other files on your system.

What is Worm?

Worms continue to multiply themselves, slowing down the computer system. Remote control of worms is possible. Worms’ primary goal is to consume system resources. Worms don’t need their host file to be activated.

Once a worm has gained access to your computer, usually through a network connection or a downloaded file, it can run, self-replicate, and spread without needing a trigger event.
A worm generates several copies of itself, then spreads throughout a network or over the internet.
These copies will infect any unprotected PCs or servers connected to the infected device through a network or the internet.

Conclusion:

Key Difference Between Virus and Worm

The key Difference Between Virus and Worm is that Virus takes less time to spread across the computer system and alter information. On the other hand, a worm can quickly spread through a device and consume system resources.

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