So, the first image that probably comes to mind when you hear the term worm, and in our case computer worm, is a squirmy invertebrate that you found on a sidewalk after a rainstorm or as a kid, you played in the dirt with or if you are into fishing (not phishing) you might have used them as bait. This is not the kind of worm we are talking about. Computer worms are nasty little creators created to do evil things.
Computer worms are another form of malware (malicious software) that infects our devices like viruses, trojans, and spyware. Part of their mission may be to do exactly what those other types of malware do. But there is one specific characteristic that computer worms have that the others don’t, and that is the ability to self-replicate and send copies of themselves to other devices. Many cyber experts consider worms to be a subspecies of viruses. but unlike viruses, they can travel from device to device and across networks without any human action.
So how do computer worms work?
Computer worms are designed to exploit known
Once a worm is on your device, it can corrupt files, steal private information, modify system settings to make your device unusable or even install backdoors. Backdoors give cybercriminals access to your device, making it even more vulnerable.
How do you know if a computer worm is on your device?
As with all malware, ultimately having a quality antivirus /
Paying attention to how your devices are behaving is a key strategy to recognizing the possibility you have a worm.
-
- Monitor the storage space on your device. Since worms replicate, they can start consuming free space on your device.
- Monitor your performance. Worms can consume processing power, so if your device is feeling sluggish, it could be a worm.
- Keep an eye out for missing files or even new files on your device. One of the more common behaviors of worms is to delete or replace files on the devices they infect.
If you fear that your machine is infected, immediately run a
By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from EveryDayCyber. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Recommended Reading
What is AD tracking?
Digital and online ad tracking is the process of gathering data and insights about the performance of online advertising campaigns. Digital systems use methods like cookies, unique tracking URLs, tracking pixels, and other tools
What is Two Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security mechanism in which individuals provide two authentication factors to log on to their account. Using a username and a password to log in to an account is in itself a 2FA. So is withdrawing cash from an ATM using your ATM card and a PIN.
What is a deep fake video and how to spot It
People can easily be fooled into believing they are seeing or hearing something that has no basis in truth in a culture filled with misinformation and deception. Deepfake videos have forced viewers to wonder whether or not what they are seeing or hearing in a video or audio recording is real.
What is Shoulder Surfing?
Shoulder surfing is a form of social engineering that enables cybercriminals to gather information just by looking over their victims’ shoulders. The aim of shoulder surfing is to obtain personal data, such as usernames, passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs), bank account numbers or credit card numbers.
What is a Botnet and How to Protect Your Business from One?
A botnet is a network of computers that work as a collective to infiltrate your device. Here's how to protect your business from botnets.
What is a Firewall?
A firewall blocks outsiders from gaining unauthorized access to your computer and helps stop malicious software from infecting your computer.