A PC worm is a type of malware that can spread from one computer to another without any user interaction. Worms typically exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems or software to gain access to computers and spread their malicious payload. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to attach themselves to a host file to replicate. Instead, they can spread independently by exploiting network vulnerabilities and replicating themselves across multiple computers. PC worms can cause a wide range of damage, including stealing sensitive information, disrupting network traffic, and even taking control of computers.
PC worms have been around for decades and have caused some of the most significant cyberattacks in history. One of the most famous PC worms is the Morris worm, which was released in 1988 and infected over 6,000 computers on the ARPANET. More recently, the WannaCry worm caused widespread disruption in 2017 by encrypting files on infected computers and demanding a ransom payment to decrypt them.
