What is a computer worm? A computer worm is a malevolent, self-copying program that is often distributed through a stratified network or system of different computer or host systems. A computer is generally called a host system programs like viruses and malware infect it.
Masters of self-dissemination
Computer worms are experts of self-dissemination. Unlike regular computer viruses that usually activate and infect files based on the behavior and actions of the user himself, computer worms are usually programmed with a fatal, pre-set list of commands. Another big difference with computer worms is that they do not require attachment to different files for dissemination. The computer networks are the Wild West, and the computer worm is a lone, hardy rider that needs nobody.
Effects of having a computer worm
Apart from answering the question, what is a computer worm? We're also interested in shedding light in what these harmful buggers actually do to a host system upon infection. The negative effects of a computer worm are generally called a "payload". It's a payload because it directly affects the system of computers and the effects are felt by the network or system directly.
Some computer worms were only designed by its writers to spread indefinitely in a given network; these worms were not designed to modify or destroy anything as it travels from one computer to another. Usually, the rationale of computer worm writers is that their programs are only examples of what real harmful programs can do. Therefore, they're doing the public a favor by exposing the faults and fissures of existing computer network designs.
What is a computer worm: Cryptoviral extortion
There are extreme instances that a host system can become hostage to a potent computer worm. The worm may not be like other minor computer worms; instead, it uses cryptography to lock out the regular users from a system. In the extreme cases, the users of the locked out computer systems are forced to pay the writer of the worm for a key that would actually work.
The threat is real, so a field of study has been born out of the need to be one-step ahead of the writers of malware. Cryptovirology, the discipline itself, focuses on the use of encryption software and key generation in relation to the production of malware. Knowing what a computer worm is would give you a hint as to how dangerous this type of program is; make sure your system is amply protected. Otherwise, you might wake up one day looking at a warped system.
About the Author
Computer Worm
(ArticlesBase SC #3521881)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - What is a Computer Worm
No comments:
Post a Comment