A
computer worm is a self-contained program (or set of programs) that
is able to spread functional copies of itself or its segments to
other computer systems. The propagation usually takes place through
network connections or email attachments. Unlike viruses/malware,
worms do not need to attach themselves to host programs. Worms often use
email and applications, such as
Microsoft™ Outlook™, to propagate. They may also drop
copies of themselves into shared folders or utilize file-sharing
systems, such as Kazaa, under the assumption that users will likely
download them, thus letting the worm propagate. In some cases, worms
use chat applications such as ICQ, AIM, mIRC, or other Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
programs to spread copies of themselves.