A computer worm is a type of standalone malware programme that is capable of replicating itself in order to spread between computers and across networks.

Unlike a computer virus, which requires human interaction to spread, a worm can travel unaided by taking advantage of file or information features on a system. One of the biggest dangers of a worm is its ability to replicate and potentially send out thousands of copies of itself, resulting in widespread damage.

In many cases, because it is able to multiply and travel across networks, a worm causes computers to crash due to the demands on system memory and bandwidth.

In order to prevent a worm from infecting your systems and targeting email contacts, it is essential that you keep your operating system and any installed software up to date. It is also critical that you have Cloud Web Security installed and run a firewall on all computers.