A computer worm is a software program that is designed to copy itself from onecomputer to another, without human interaction. Unlike a computer virus, a worm can copy itself automatically.
Worms can replicate in great volume. For example, a worm can send out copies of itself to every contact in your e-mail address book, and then it can send itself to all of the contacts in their e-mail address books.
Some worms spread very quickly. They clog networks and can cause long waits for you (and everyone else) to view Web pages on the Internet.
You might have heard of specific computer worms, including the Sasser worm and the Blaster worm. The most recent worm is called the Conficker worm.
To help prevent infections by and to get rid of the Conficker worm and worms like it, visit the Windows Live safety scanner or the Malicious Software Removal Tool. If you have automatic updating turned on, the Malicious Software Removal Tool runs on your computer every month.
For more basic information about computer worms, see How to prevent computer worms and How to remove computer worms.
A worm, like a virus, is designed to copy itself from one computer to another, but it does so automatically. First, it takes control of features on the computer that can transport files or information. Once a worm is in your system, it can travel alone. A great danger of worms is their ability to replicate in great volume. For example, a worm could send out copies of itself to everyone listed in your e-mail address book, and their computers would then do the same, which causes a domino effect of heavy network traffic that can slow down business networks and the Internet as a whole. When new worms are unleashed, they spread very quickly. They clog networks and possibly cause a long wait for you (and everyone else) to view Web pages on the Internet.
Worm (n.) A subclass of virus. A worm generally spreads without user action and distributes complete copies (possibly modified) of itself across networks. A worm can consume memory or network bandwidth, which can cause a computer to crash.
Because worms don't need to travel via a "host" program or file, they can also tunnel into your system and allow somebody else to take control of your computer remotely. Recent examples of worms included the Sasser worm and the Blaster worm.
Source: Microsoft
Worms can replicate in great volume. For example, a worm can send out copies of itself to every contact in your e-mail address book, and then it can send itself to all of the contacts in their e-mail address books.
Some worms spread very quickly. They clog networks and can cause long waits for you (and everyone else) to view Web pages on the Internet.
You might have heard of specific computer worms, including the Sasser worm and the Blaster worm. The most recent worm is called the Conficker worm.
To help prevent infections by and to get rid of the Conficker worm and worms like it, visit the Windows Live safety scanner or the Malicious Software Removal Tool. If you have automatic updating turned on, the Malicious Software Removal Tool runs on your computer every month.
For more basic information about computer worms, see How to prevent computer worms and How to remove computer worms.
A worm, like a virus, is designed to copy itself from one computer to another, but it does so automatically. First, it takes control of features on the computer that can transport files or information. Once a worm is in your system, it can travel alone. A great danger of worms is their ability to replicate in great volume. For example, a worm could send out copies of itself to everyone listed in your e-mail address book, and their computers would then do the same, which causes a domino effect of heavy network traffic that can slow down business networks and the Internet as a whole. When new worms are unleashed, they spread very quickly. They clog networks and possibly cause a long wait for you (and everyone else) to view Web pages on the Internet.
Worm (n.) A subclass of virus. A worm generally spreads without user action and distributes complete copies (possibly modified) of itself across networks. A worm can consume memory or network bandwidth, which can cause a computer to crash.
Because worms don't need to travel via a "host" program or file, they can also tunnel into your system and allow somebody else to take control of your computer remotely. Recent examples of worms included the Sasser worm and the Blaster worm.
Source: Microsoft
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