What is a computer worm?

Computer worms are a type of malware that targets security vulnerabilities and spreads between devices, often independently of any human interaction.

Once a worm infects your device, it can perform a variety of damaging actions, including deleting files, introducing other malware programmes and eating up hard drive space, rendering your device unusable.

They have been around since the early days of computing and the internet, with the infamous ILOVEYOU worm infecting tens of millions of computers after being released in 2000.

In our latest blog, we explore the different types of computer worms, how they infect your devices, and what you can do to protect against them.

Common types of computer worm

Email worm:

Some worms are designed to spread via malicious links or attachments contained within an email. They can identify and access email addresses on an infected device’s hard drive or address book and can even reply to emails found in the inbox. Such worms often spread through phishing attempts to lure people into disclosing confidential information like passwords or banking details.  

File-sharing worms:

These worms are disguised as benign media files on ‘peer-to-peer’ file-sharing networks such as Dropbox and Google Drive. When a user of a shared folder unwittingly downloads a malicious file, the worm can spread to that device.

Internet worms:

The internet can act as a superhighway for worms to spread. Some worms target websites with poor security and infect the devices that access them. This type of worm can then spread via the infected device’s internet, LAN and private network connections.  

Cryptoworms:

This is a relatively new form of ransomware where a worm encrypts data on the target’s system with a ransom payment demanded to provide access to the files.

Signs your devices have been infected

As computer worms often target parts of the operating system invisible to the user, it’s not always immediately obvious that you have been infected.

However, there are a number of tell-tale signs to look out for:

• A decline in computer performance or speed without a clear explanation

• System crashes or freezing

• Disappearance or modification of files or icons, or the appearance of unfamiliar ones

• Strange system behaviour including programmes running or stopping unexpectedly

• Emails you did not write being sent from your email address

• Warning messages from the operating system or antivirus software

Protecting your device

Luckily, there are a number of best practice steps that individuals and businesses can take to reduce their risk of becoming infected by a computer worm.

• Install operating system and software updates as soon as they become available. Such updates often address security vulnerabilities spotted in previous versions of software and can guard against newly discovered worms.

• Do not open emails, click on links or download attachments from unfamiliar sources.

• Instal firewalls and advanced antiviral software to block malware from reaching your devices.

Our solutions

At OX IT Solutions, we provide a complete suite of cybersecurity products and services designed to protect your devices and personal data. Our range of solutions includes ransomware and malware protection, network and mobile security, penetration tests and next-generation firewalls (NFGs).

We also offer a free, remote cybersecurity review service for businesses and schools where certified technicians assess the current state of your cybersecurity protection and provide recommended improvements.

To hear more about our services, get in touch with the OX IT Solutions team today to find out how we can meet your business IT support, hardware, software and cybersecurity needs.

To receive all our latest updates follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.