Difference Between a Computer Worm and a Trojan Horse

📚 Understanding Computer Worms

A computer worm is a standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in order to spread to other computers. Worms use a computer network to spread, relying on security failures on the target computer to access it. They often cause damage by consuming bandwidth or overloading systems.

• 🦠 Replicates independently: Worms don't need a host program to spread.
• 🌐 Spreads over networks: They travel across networks, infecting computers.
• 💥 Causes network congestion: Can slow down or crash networks due to high traffic.

🛡️ Understanding Trojan Horses

A Trojan horse (or simply Trojan) is a type of malware that is often disguised as legitimate software. Trojans can be employed by cyber-thieves and hackers trying to gain access to users' systems. Users are typically tricked into loading and executing it on their systems. Once activated, Trojans can steal sensitive data, install backdoors, or perform other malicious actions.

• 🎭 Disguised as legitimate software: Tricking users into installing them.
• 🔑 Requires user interaction: Needs the user to execute the program.
• 🔒 Can steal data: Targets sensitive information like passwords and financial data.

🆚 Worm vs. Trojan Horse: A Detailed Comparison

Here's a table that clearly illustrates the differences:

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 💡 Worms spread automatically over networks, while Trojans require user interaction.
• 🛡️ Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software, while worms exploit vulnerabilities.
• 🚨 Both can cause significant damage, but Trojans often focus on data theft and system compromise.