Quick Answer
The answer is worm, as it is one of the two primary types of malware alongside a virus. A worm is correct because it is a standalone malicious program that replicates itself across networks without needing a host file or any user interaction, unlike a virus which requires a user to execute an infected file or program. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this distinction is frequently tested to assess your understanding of malware propagation methods—a common trap is confusing a worm’s self-spreading ability with a virus’s dependency on human action. Remember that a virus needs a “ride” (host file) and a “driver” (user), while a worm drives itself. A useful memory tip: think of a worm as a “network traveler” that moves on its own, whereas a virus is a “parasite” that hitches a ride.
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are types of malware?
Patch
Why wrong: A patch is an update to fix vulnerabilities, not malware.
Encryption
Why wrong: Encryption is a data protection method, not malware.
Virus
A virus is a type of malware that replicates by attaching to programs.
Worm
A worm is self-replicating malware that spreads over networks.
Firewall
Why wrong: A firewall is a security device or software, not malware.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Virus
A virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to a legitimate program or file and replicates when the host is executed, often causing damage or stealing data. It requires user interaction (e.g., opening an infected attachment) to spread, distinguishing it from other malware types.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Patch
Why it's wrong here
A patch is an update to fix vulnerabilities, not malware.
Encryption
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is a data protection method, not malware.
Virus
Why this is correct
A virus is a type of malware that replicates by attaching to programs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Worm
Why this is correct
A worm is self-replicating malware that spreads over networks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Firewall
Why it's wrong here
A firewall is a security device or software, not malware.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse security tools (patches, encryption, firewalls) with malware types, or mistakenly think encryption itself is malicious, whereas encryption is a neutral technique used by both security software and some malware (e.g., ransomware) to lock data.
Detailed technical explanation
Malware encompasses various malicious software types, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. A virus requires a host file and user action to propagate, while a worm self-replicates across networks without user intervention, exploiting vulnerabilities like unpatched SMB services (e.g., EternalBlue in WannaCry). Understanding these propagation mechanisms is critical for implementing layered defenses such as endpoint protection and network segmentation.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
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FAQ
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Virus — A virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to a legitimate program or file and replicates when the host is executed, often causing damage or stealing data. It requires user interaction (e.g., opening an infected attachment) to spread, distinguishing it from other malware types.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This FC0-U61 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-U61 exam.
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