Worm

Term: Worm

Definition: Self-replicating malware that spreads across networks without needing a user to open or run an infected file.

Context/Example: The Creeper (1971) and Morris Worm (1988) are famous historical examples that spread across the ARPANET (early Internet) and took down thousands of machines.

Related Concepts: Virus, network scanning, propagation, malware, botnet.