What is a characteristic of a self-replicating program like a worm?

A self-replicating program, such as a worm, is specifically designed to spread independently across networks and systems without requiring any interaction from the user or the need to attach itself to other programs. This characteristic allows worms to propagate quickly and broadly, often infiltrating networks and systems in a matter of minutes.

Worms exploit network vulnerabilities to move from one machine to another without being reliant on any external host. This distinguishes them from other types of malware, like viruses, which require a host program to operate. While worms can also affect local machines, their primary capability lies in their ability to spread through networks on their own, navigating the internet and various systems to replicate themselves autonomously.

Because of this independent spreading mechanism, worms can cause significant damage and disruption across wide areas of a network, which is a key aspect of their threat.