The "Worm" started out as an innocent university project but has now become malicious, self-replicating malware that tries to spread itself throughout your entire network and across the Internet, without any interference from you or another program.
Introducing the computer worm. Worms spread from one computer to another by exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system. They can include “payloads” which steal personal data, create backdoors for hackers to control the system remotely, or delete or encrypt files. Criminals can use a compromised computer to send spam campaigns or attack institutions, including government organisations.
It’s not difficult for users to get infected because modern worms are more evolved than their primitive 80's counterparts. Because they automatically propagate across the Internet, the user rarely has any part in the spreading process other than leaving their PC unpatched or previewing an infected e-mail message.
Worms offer many opportunities to create damage worth millions.
How do you keep safe from worms?
Worms are invisible, which makes them very difficult to detect. Some hints could be that your computer is very slow and unresponsive, that it is missing files or sending out spam to your contacts, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you’ve been infected with a computer worm, disconnect from the internet so that it doesn’t use your network to spread to other computers.
There are some simple steps to keep a clean infrastructure and avoid dealing with worms. First of all, make sure you install threat management software on all your devices and regularly update it. Never open emails and attachments from people you don’t know and don’t click on suspicious links. Most threat management software will run scans frequently and let you know if it finds anything fishy (or wormy).
The threat management software solution alone can’t do all the work so it’s also your job to pay close attention to what you download or click on. Just as you wouldn’t let a stranger into your home, don’t download files from unknown sources.
