What type of malware modifies system files and spreads through local network shares, causing slow system performance? Learn how computer worms self-replicate and propagate across networks—essential for CompTIA Security+ (Plus) SY0-701 exam success.
Table of Contents
Question
A user reports that their system is running unusually slow, and an analysis reveals the presence of a malware variant that modifies system files and spreads through local network shares. Which type of malware is this?
A. Rootkit
B. Worm
C. Spyware
D. Ransomware
E. Trojan
Answer
B. Worm
Explanation
Worms replicate themselves across networks without user intervention, often degrading system performance.
The malware described—modifying system files, spreading through local network shares, and causing system slowdowns—is classified as a worm.
Worms are standalone malware programs that self-replicate and spread independently across networks, including through local network shares, without requiring user intervention or a host program.
Unlike viruses, which need a host file or application to propagate, worms exploit system vulnerabilities and network protocols to move from one system to another, often using shared folders, email attachments, or removable drives as infection vectors.
Once a worm infects a system, it can modify system files, consume resources, and degrade performance. Its primary goal is to remain active and continue spreading to as many devices as possible.
Worms can carry additional malicious payloads, such as backdoors, ransomware, or spyware, but their defining feature is their ability to propagate rapidly across networks, often leading to widespread disruption.
Typical symptoms of a worm infection include unusual system slowness, high network traffic, and the presence of unauthorized files or processes.
Worms are self-replicating malware that spread through network shares and other vectors, often modifying system files and degrading performance as they infect additional systems.
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