Re: What is the difference between a worm and a trojan ?

From: StarScripter (Star_at_privacy.net)
Date: 05/19/04 

Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 20:34:29 -0400

Peter Meister wrote:
| Ok, I know the difference between a virus and a trojan. But what is
| the difference between a worm and a trojan? Is the one a subset of
| the other type or are they completele different ?
|
| Peter

>From the Microsoft Computer Dictionary:

worm n. A program that propagates itself across computers, usually by
creating copies of itself in each computer's memory. A worm might
duplicate itself in one computer so often that it causes the computer to
crash. Sometimes written in separate segments, a worm is introduced
surreptitiously into a host system either as a prank or with the intent
of damaging or destroying information. See also bacterium, Internet
Worm, Trojan horse, virus.

Trojan horse n. A destructive program disguised as a game, utility, or
application. When run, a Trojan horse does something harmful to the
computer system while appearing to do something useful. See also virus,
worm.

virus n. An intrusive program that infects computer files by inserting
in those files copies of itself. The copies are usually executed when
the file is loaded into memory, allowing the virus to infect still other
files, and so on. Viruses often have damaging side effects-sometimes
intentionally, sometimes not. For example, some viruses can destroy a
computer's hard disk or take up memory space that could otherwise be
used by programs. See also Good Times virus, Trojan horse, worm. 

-- 
    S.S.

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