Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

In the context of computer security, a worm is defined as a type of malware that has the capability to self-replicate and spread independently across networks by copying itself to other systems. This distinguishes it from other types of malware that may require host files to propagate, such as viruses that infect specific files.

Worms are designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the operating systems or applications of other computers on a network. By doing so, they are able to send copies of themselves to those vulnerable systems without any user intervention. This autonomous nature allows worms to proliferate rapidly, often causing significant harm to networks by consuming bandwidth, overloading systems, or facilitating additional malicious actions.

Other options do not accurately represent the characteristics of a worm. A program that spreads by infecting files typically describes a virus, which requires a host file to execute and replicate. A type of malware focused solely on data theft may refer to spyware or other forms of malware specialized for stealing information rather than self-replicating. Lastly, a software update mechanism is unrelated to worms and instead refers to legitimate services designed to maintain software integrity and security.