Which statement about malware that propagates across a network without user action is true?

Which statement about malware that propagates across a network without user action is true?

• A. Worms propagate across networks without user interaction.
• B. Worms require user action to spread.
• C. Worms only infect hosts via USB drives.
• D. Worms cannot propagate.

Answer: (A)

Worms are self-replicating malware that spread across networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in services, often scanning for new targets and copying themselves to other machines without any user action. This autonomous propagation is what makes a worm distinct from other malware that needs someone to run or open a file. Because it doesn’t rely on user intervention to move from one host to another, a worm can spread rapidly across many systems, sometimes dropping additional payloads or backdoors along the way. In contrast, statements that say user action is required, or that propagation is restricted to USB drives, or that propagation isn’t possible, don’t describe this behavior.

Worms are self-replicating malware that spread across networks by exploiting vulnerabilities in services, often scanning for new targets and copying themselves to other machines without any user action. This autonomous propagation is what makes a worm distinct from other malware that needs someone to run or open a file. Because it doesn’t rely on user intervention to move from one host to another, a worm can spread rapidly across many systems, sometimes dropping additional payloads or backdoors along the way. In contrast, statements that say user action is required, or that propagation is restricted to USB drives, or that propagation isn’t possible, don’t describe this behavior.