What Is the Difference: Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Bots?

Written by Anuraag Singh ~ March 2nd, 2022 ~ Blog

Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Bots are different software commonly known as malicious software. Malicious software is an application, which is formed to damage, disorder, steal, or in any way is formed to disturb the network or system programming. Virus, Worms, Trojan, and Bots all have different ways to disrupt the system programming. All these programs are different in structure but their main purpose is to destroy the system. In the following section, we will discuss the difference between viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Bots.

Difference Between Viruses, Worms, Trojans, and Bots

  • Virus: Virus are very common in any system and it keeps on multiply within the system. It produces its own copy and become a part of some other program. It is possible that a file contains the virus in an inactive state and remains there in that state. Only once the user executes the file, the virus becomes active and wrecks havoc in the system. Even a single virus can affect the system so badly. It can make your system very slow or even can damage all your files. A Virus can enter into our system in many ways like if we transfer attachments it can enter, via Pen drive, via a disc or by any exchange process. All viruses in a computer system are man made.
  • Worms: Worms are quite similar to Virus and generally play the same role. Worms also replicate itself and spread. They can enter a computer and travel through file transportation medium or information- transportation medium. Worms do not require a host program to multiply as a virus does.
  • Trojans: This program looks legitimate and is very harmful. Usually, these legitimate looking programs tricks users in loading them on their system. Unlike, virus or worms Trojans reproduce in different ways. It increases through any interaction of the user like if user runs or download any file from internet or by e-mail attachments. Once it activates in the system it can make it very difficult for the user to use the system. It can delete or steal the files. It can irritate by unnecessary window pop up to destruct the host file.
  • Bots: Bots are both good and malicious. It depends on their usage. But, the malicious bots are very dangerous as it has the capability to collect users’ financial information, passwords and can project DoS attacks. Bots have all the properties of a worm, however, their infection vector is much more flexible. Sometimes, it does not allow the user to access the infected file. It totally damages network framework.

How to Secure System From Malicious Software

Security is very important against these malicious programs as the harm caused by them is sometimes irreparable. Always keep the system up to date this is the first step to avoid these malicious programs. Anti-virus availability is a must in the system. Download updated software so that, that anti-virus has all the updated ways and tricks to fight against these programs.

Other tips related to security:

Conclusion

Virus, Worms, Trojans and Bots can be found in any system and can affect the computer very severely. As we discussed above, every program works differently but all can damage important files. Updated anti-virus can rescue the system from the these unwanted programs.