What type of malware can replicate itself and spread to other computers?

• A. A virus
• B. A worm
• C. A Trojan horse
• D. Adware

Answer: (A)

The correct answer is a virus, which is a type of malware specifically designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. When a virus infects a host file or program, it can create copies of itself that become attached to other files, allowing it to propagate through various means, such as email attachments or file sharing. The goal of a virus is often to damage systems, steal data, or disrupt operations.

In contrast, a worm also replicates and spreads, but it does so independently across networks without needing a host file. While both viruses and worms are capable of spreading malicious code, the distinction is in how they operate. A Trojan horse, on the other hand, is deceptive software that appears legitimate but performs harmful actions once executed; it does not replicate itself. Lastly, adware is designed primarily for advertising purposes and may gather user data, but it does not replicate or spread like straightforward malicious software.