Which type of malware is designed to replicate itself and spread to other systems?

A virus is a type of malware specifically engineered to replicate itself and spread to other systems. Once a virus successfully infiltrates a host system, it attaches itself to legitimate programs or files. It can then propagate by spreading to other machines through various means, such as email attachments, shared networks, or portable media devices.

When it infects a system, a virus can execute harmful activities, such as corrupting files, stealing sensitive data, or creating backdoors for further attacks. Its self-replicating nature is a fundamental characteristic that differentiates it from other types of malware.

While spyware, Trojan horses, and adware exhibit malicious behavior, they do not have the self-replicating ability associated with viruses. Spyware typically gathers information without the user's consent, Trojan horses disguise themselves as legitimate software but do not replicate, and adware primarily displays unwanted advertisements without self-replicating functionality. Thus, the defining trait of a virus is its capacity to reproduce and facilitate its spread across networks.