200-201 Security Concepts Practice Question
Which type of malware is characterized by self-replication and spreading to other systems without user interaction, often causing network congestion?
⚠ Common exam trap
200-201 often tests the distinction between worms and viruses, so candidates must remember that the defining trait of a worm is autonomous self-replication without user interaction, not the type of damage it causes.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Worm
A worm is self-replicating malware that spreads autonomously across networks without requiring a user to open a file or click a link, often consuming bandwidth and causing congestion. Classic examples include WannaCry's worm component and Conficker. Ransomware, Trojans, and viruses all require some form of user action or host file execution to propagate.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment; it does not self-replicate or spread across networks without user interaction. It is tempting because it dominates breach headlines and causes severe disruption, but its propagation depends on delivery vectors such as phishing or exposed RDP, not autonomous replication like a worm.
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Trojan
Why it's wrong here
A Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software and requires the user to execute it, so it neither self-replicates nor spreads autonomously. It is tempting because it is a common malware category, but its defining trait is deception rather than the worm's independent propagation and resulting network congestion.
- ✓
Worm
Why this is correct
A worm self-replicates and propagates across networks autonomously, requiring no user interaction or host file, unlike viruses that need a carrier. This satisfies the stem's constraint of spreading without user action, and its rapid, uncontrolled replication consumes bandwidth, directly causing the network congestion described.
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Virus
Why it's wrong here
A virus attaches to a host file and needs a user to run that file or share it, so it does not spread without interaction. It is tempting because viruses are the archetypal self-replicating malware, but the stem's autonomous, network-congesting spread describes a worm, which propagates via vulnerabilities.
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This 200-201 question is part of Courseiva's 968-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint
This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.