FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
Which of the following is a characteristic of a worm compared to a virus?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the worm/virus distinction by offering 'requires a host file' as a distractor — candidates who confuse replication mechanisms with delivery mechanisms pick the wrong answer.
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
✓
A worm can self-replicate without user intervention
A worm is defined by its ability to self-replicate and propagate across networks without requiring user interaction or a host file. It exploits vulnerabilities or uses network shares to spread autonomously, distinguishing it from a virus, which requires a host file and typically user action (like opening an attachment) to execute and replicate.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A worm is always disguised as legitimate software
Why it's wrong here
Worms self-replicate across networks without disguising themselves; masquerading as legitimate software describes a Trojan, not a worm. The option tempts because social-engineering disguise is common malware behaviour, but it is not the defining replication characteristic that distinguishes worms from viruses.
- ✗
A worm is a type of ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware is classified by its payload of encrypting data for extortion, whereas a worm is defined by self-propagation; a worm may deliver ransomware but is not itself that category. The option tempts because worms often carry payloads, yet propagation, not payload type, is the distinguishing trait.
- ✓
A worm can self-replicate without user intervention
Why this is correct
Worms self-replicate autonomously across networks by exploiting vulnerabilities, requiring no host file or user action. This directly satisfies the stem's comparison: unlike viruses, which need a user to execute an infected file, a worm propagates independently, enabling rapid, self-sustaining spread without human intervention.
- ✗
A worm requires a host file to replicate
Why it's wrong here
Worms replicate independently across networks without needing a host file; requiring a host to replicate is precisely the virus characteristic the question contrasts against. The option tempts because both are self-replicating malware, but host dependency is the virus trait, not the worm's.
About these practice questions
This FC0-U71 question is part of Courseiva's 988-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 →
Same concept, more angles
3 more ways this is tested on FC0-U71
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Which of the following malware types is characterized by self-replication without needing to attach to a host file?
medium- ✓ A.Worm
- B.Virus
- C.Trojan
- D.Ransomware
Why A: A worm is a standalone malware program that self-replicates and spreads across networks without requiring a host file or user intervention. It exploits vulnerabilities or uses social engineering to move between systems, often consuming bandwidth and system resources. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to attach themselves to legitimate files to propagate.
Variation 2. Which type of malware is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers without needing to attach to a host file?
medium- ✓ A.Worm
- B.Trojan
- C.Virus
- D.Ransomware
Why A: Worms are self-replicating and spread independently, unlike viruses which attach to files.
Variation 3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a worm in the context of malware?
easy- A.It disguises itself as legitimate software
- B.It encrypts files and demands a ransom
- C.It requires a host file to spread
- ✓ D.It self-replicates without needing a host file
Why D: A worm is a standalone malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers without needing to attach to a host file, often exploiting network vulnerabilities.
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 CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 FC0-U71 exam.