How does a worm differ from a virus?

Worms and viruses are both types of malware, but they have distinct characteristics that differentiate them. A worm can replicate itself and spread independently across networks without needing any intervention from a human. This self-replication is what sets worms apart from viruses, which often require a host program to attach to and rely on users to execute the infected program to propagate.

In the context of the correct answer, the ability of worms to replicate autonomously means they can infect multiple devices and spread rapidly across systems, taking advantage of network connections. This characteristic often leads to widespread disruption and can allow worms to affect a large number of systems in a relatively short time frame, unlike viruses that must be activated by human actions.

The other options relate to incorrect attributes of worms and define the characteristics that do not apply in distinguishing them from viruses. For instance, the notion that a worm needs a human to spread is inaccurate, as this is typically a feature of viruses. Similarly, claiming that a worm does not replicate itself inaccurately describes a fundamental aspect of what defines a worm. Lastly, suggesting that a worm is a type of antivirus software misrepresents its purpose, as worms are malicious, unlike antivirus software, which is designed to detect and remove malware. This understanding helps