They install the file on their computer and seed the same, thus spreading the malware further. File-sharing Wormsįile-sharing worms are spread through torrent sites, such as The Pirate Bay when an unsuspecting user downloads an infected file. Clicking on the links leads the user to an infected site or instantly downloads the malware on their computer. Users are often enticed to click on emails that feature amazing deals, mouthwatering stories, and so on. Links within emails also play a critical role in the spread of email worms. While attachments are the most common method to spread email worms, they are not the only way. The same email is also sent to all the addresses in a user’s email. When a user clicks on the attachment, a copy of the malware is instantly downloaded on the computer. The attachments normally have executable files that are cleverly named such that they can easily be confused with media files. The victim will receive what looks like a legitimate email but has compromised attachments. Email WormsĮmail worms are a special type of malware that are spread through phishing campaigns. Once inside a computer, they can then spread to other devices in the local area network. ![]() If their infiltration attempts are successful, they infect the site and any other computer that is used to access the site in question. Internet worms mostly target popular websites with insufficient security. Common Types of Computer WormsĬomputer worms such as Stuxnet come in many shapes and forms. ![]() In all, the worm infected an estimated 200,000 computers, while physically degrading 1000 machines. Stuxnet was able to successfully carry out its mission of slowing down the creation of fissionable nuclear material by way of exploiting vulnerabilities in Windows. It was created to target programmable logic controllers that are responsible for the automation of electromechanical processes, such as the ones that are used in gas centrifuges for separating nuclear material. Stuxnet was reportedly developed by American and Israeli spy agencies with the goal of crippling the Iranian nuclear program. Examples of Computer Wormsīy far, the most famous computer worm is Stuxnet that was first uncovered by cyber-security researchers in 2010. Some modify or delete files, while others open backdoors for other malware to infect your computer. There are worms that cripple entire networks. Like all other malware entities, computer worms are created so that they can achieve specific goals. What Can a Computer Worm Do on Your Computer? From there, it then spreads to all other computers that are part of a network. ![]() When software programs from these sites are downloaded, the malware is activated during the installation process. Sometimes, the worms can also come from files that are downloaded on sites, such as the Pirate Bay. ![]() But apart from that, they can also be downloaded from attachments that are part of phishing campaigns. The most common way that worms are able to spread is by taking advantage of software vulnerabilities. Often, computer worms attack entire networks because they can spread rapidly by copying themselves from computer to computer. A computer worm is a special kind of malware that is able to spread through replication.
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