What is the name of malware that replicates itself and can spread via email, USB drives, and file transfers?

• A. Virus
• B. Worm
• C. Trojan
• D. Spyware

Answer: (A)

Spreading via email, USB drives, and file transfers while replicating itself is a hallmark of a worm. A worm is a stand-alone program that can propagate across systems and media without needing a host file or user action to run it each time. It can use email as a vector, copy itself onto USB devices, and move through file transfers or network shares, making rapid, autonomous propagation possible.

Viruses, while capable of replication, require a host program and typically rely on user action to spread (such as executing an infected file). Trojans don’t replicate on their own; they disguise themselves as legitimate software. Spyware focuses on covert data collection rather than spreading itself. So the description points to a worm.