What distinguishes a worm from a virus?

A worm is fundamentally different from a virus in its method of propagation. The correct answer emphasizes that a worm propagates itself without user intervention, meaning it can reproduce and spread autonomously across networks or systems without needing a user to execute a program or file. This characteristic is crucial because it highlights the self-sufficient nature of worms, allowing them to infect multiple systems rapidly and often lead to widespread damage or disruption.

In contrast, viruses typically require some form of user action to initiate their infection and replication process, such as opening an infected file or running a malicious program. This distinction is key in understanding the behaviors of these types of malware and how they can affect system security.