what is a worm in computer terms

In computer terms, a worm is a type of malware that replicates itself and spreads over network connections, infecting other computers without requiring human activation. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to attach themselves to a host program and can spread on their own. They often exploit security vulnerabilities in operating systems or software to spread themselves. Once a worm infects a computer, it can perform various malicious actions, such as dropping other malware, consuming bandwidth, deleting files, overloading networks, stealing data, or opening a backdoor. Symptoms of a computer worm infection may include a slow or frozen computer, error messages, missing or corrupted files, or alerts from a firewall about a breach. To prevent computer worms, users should keep their operating systems and software up to date, use antivirus software, and avoid opening suspicious emails or attachments.