A PC worm is a kind of malware that may unfold from one pc to a different with none consumer interplay. Worms sometimes exploit vulnerabilities in working techniques or software program to realize entry to computer systems and unfold their malicious payload. Not like viruses, worms don’t want to connect themselves to a number file to copy. As a substitute, they’ll unfold independently by exploiting community vulnerabilities and replicating themselves throughout a number of computer systems. PC worms could cause a variety of harm, together with stealing delicate info, disrupting community visitors, and even taking management of computer systems.
PC worms have been round for many years and have brought on among the most vital cyberattacks in historical past. Probably the most well-known PC worms is the Morris worm, which was launched in 1988 and contaminated over 6,000 computer systems on the ARPANET. Extra lately, the WannaCry worm brought on widespread disruption in 2017 by encrypting information on contaminated computer systems and demanding a ransom cost to decrypt them.