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200-201 Practice Question: Which type of malware is designed to spread…
Which type of malware is designed to spread automatically across networks without user interaction?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between a virus and a worm, where the trap is that candidates confuse 'self-replicating' with 'requires a host file,' leading them to incorrectly choose virus instead of worm for autonomous network spread.
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 a standalone malware program that replicates itself to spread to other computers over a network, often exploiting vulnerabilities without any user intervention. Unlike viruses, worms do not require a host file or user action to propagate, making them capable of rapid, automated spread across networks.
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 typically requires user to execute.
- ✗
Virus
Why it's wrong here
Viruses need a host file and user action.
- ✗
Trojan
Why it's wrong here
Trojans rely on user deception.
- ✓
Worm
Why this is correct
Worms spread autonomously across networks.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.