Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

A self-propagating malicious code that can propagate to other systems on the network and consume resources, leading to a denial-of-service attack is called a _____.

1. Virus

2. Worm

3. Trojan horse

4. Malware

The correct answer is: Worm

The term that best describes a self-propagating malicious code that can spread to other systems on a network and potentially consume resources, ultimately leading to a denial-of-service attack, is a worm. Worms are designed to replicate themselves and distribute across networks without the need for any human intervention. This autonomous ability allows them to spread rapidly from one computer to another, utilizing network resources as they do so, which can overwhelm systems and result in significant disruptions. While viruses also replicate and can cause damage, they typically require user action to propagate, such as opening an infected file. Trojans, on the other hand, masquerade as legitimate software to deceive users and do not self-replicate, nor do they typically spread through networks. Malware is a broad category that includes different types of malicious software, like viruses, worms, and Trojans, but it does not specifically define the self-propagating nature or the resource consumption characteristic central to the question. Therefore, the characteristics of being self-propagating and leading to potential denial-of-service scenarios are why the term "worm" accurately fits the description provided.