A Virus is a self-replicating code segment which must be attached to a host executable. When the host is executed, the virus code may also execute. If possible, the virus will replicate by attaching a copy of itself to another executable.

What is a self-replicating virus called?

Definition: A computer worm is a malicious, self-replicating software program (popularly termed as 'malware') which affects the functions of software and hardware programs. ... For example, it can also self-replicate itself and spread across networks. That is why worms are often referred to as viruses also.

What is difference between worm and virus?

Virus vs Worm

The primary difference between a virus and a worm is that viruses must be triggered by the activation of their host; whereas worms are stand-alone malicious programs that can self-replicate and propagate independently as soon as they have breached the system.