Trojan Vs Virus Vs Worm | What Is The Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Trojan Vs Virus Vs Worm | What Is The Difference? ›

A worm is like a computer virus by its design but is a sub-class of a virus or trojan horse. Worms spread from computer to computer, but unlike a virus, it has the capability to travel without attaching to a host program and can run independently.

Unlike viruses and worms, Trojans do not reproduce by infecting other files nor do they self-replicate. Trojans must spread through user interaction such as opening an email attachment or downloading and running a file from the Internet.

A Worm is a form of malware that replicates itself and can spread to different computers via Network. Trojan Horse is a form of malware that capture some important information about a computer system or a computer network. The main objective of worms to eat the system resources.

A worm can replicate and spread itself from one computer to another. On the other hand, a virus cannot self-replicate, and it needs to be sent by a user or software to travel between two different computers.

A Trojan horse is not a virus. It is a destructive program that looks as a genuine application. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive.

A Trojan Horse Virus is a type of malware that downloads onto a computer disguised as a legitimate program. The delivery method typically sees an attacker use social engineering to hide malicious code within legitimate software to try and gain users' system access with their software.

Types of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware and spyware. These malicious programs steal, encrypt and delete sensitive data; alter or hijack core computing functions; and monitor end users' computer activity.

How is a worm different from a Trojan? A worm spreads through a network, whereas a Trojan hides inside another program.

Trojans and ransomware, of course, are two different types of malware. Ransomware is malware that restricts file access while displaying a ransom message. A trojan, on the other hand, is malware disguised as a real, legitimate program.

Malware is a malicious software which is typically used to infect computers or networks. Common types of malware include viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, adware, spyware, rootkits, keyloggers, fileless malware, cryptojacking, and hybrid malware.

What makes a virus a worm? ›

Worm Virus Definition

Worms consume large volumes of memory, as well as bandwidth. This results in servers, individual systems, and networks getting overloaded and malfunctioning. A worm is different from a virus, however, because a worm can operate on its own while a virus needs a host computer.

In brief: Viruses and worms both cause damage and copy themselves rapidly. The main difference is how they self-replicate, with viruses requiring the help of a host and worms acting independently. Unlike viruses, worms can replicate and spread without any human activation.

A worm is a malicious program that replicates itself to spread throughout a network. Unlike viruses, this form of malware can spread to other computers within a network by exploiting security vulnerabilities.

A virus's execution and transmission rely on the transfer of infected files, whereas worms replicate without human action and utilize a network to embed themselves in other systems. On the other hand, a trojan horse works as utility software and is executed. A virus could not be remotely controlled.

Unlike viruses, trojan horses do not replicate themselves, but they can be just as destructive. Trojans also open a backdoor entry to your computer, giving command to malicious actor or allowing malicious users/programs access to your system.

Worm Virus Definition

A worm is different from a virus, however, because a worm can operate on its own while a virus needs a host computer.

A worm virus is a computer virus that can self-replicate, mostly without human intervention. Other kinds of computer viruses rely more on curiosity or user naivete to spread. The ILOVEYOU, Michelangelo, and MSBlast worms are famous examples.

Malware, short for malicious software, refers to any intrusive software developed by cybercriminals (often called hackers) to steal data and damage or destroy computers and computer systems. Examples of common malware include viruses, worms, Trojan viruses, spyware, adware, and ransomware.