Differentiate between a computer virus and a computer worm as used in computers.(4 marks)July 2020

A computer virus is a type of malicious software that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. It can infect a computer by attaching itself to a program or file and then activating when the program or file is opened. Once a virus has infected a computer, it can perform various actions, such as deleting files, stealing personal information, or displaying unwanted messages.

A computer worm, on the other hand, is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread over networks, without requiring a host program or file. It can propagate itself through vulnerabilities in networked systems, such as unpatched software or weak passwords. Like a virus, a worm can perform various actions once it has infected a computer, such as deleting files or stealing personal information.

One key difference between a virus and a worm is the way in which they spread. A virus spreads by attaching itself to a host program or file, while a worm spreads independently over networks. Another difference is that a virus requires some form of human interaction (such as opening an infected file) to spread, while a worm can propagate itself automatically.