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worm

worm

26 7.4
A program that copies itself and spreads across computers to cause harm
  • noun
  • /wɜrm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : gusano informático
  • And this was a a worm programme that was moving around the Internet and infecting computers.
  • worms and viruses

So when, if the, if the virus replicates successfully, the worms just turns green.

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Examples

  • It's somehow connected with the worm that's stealing the money.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Worm.Floppier.C is a newly designed worm, and now it is running over the network.

    Blog text (3)
  • - It's some kind of virus or worm, sir.

  • Almost like a computer worm.

  • Could it be to cover the tracks for this worm program?

    Fiction book (1995)
  • "Worm.Floppier.C" is a highly dangerous worm; you must uninstall it as soon as possible.

    Blog text (3)
  • We assumed Bishop delivered his disc, which means the programs have merged and the worm is operational.

  • The Stuxnet worm is rumored to have been the unclaimed work of the United States and Israel.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Firefox provides security when browsing the web, helping to close the door on spyware, worms, and viruses.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The ILOVEYOU computer worm caused widespread damage by duplicating itself through email attachments.

Synonyms

virus
vsworm
  • Specialized
137 3.3

A harmful computer program that copies itself and can damage files

propagates across multiple systems or networks rather than staying local
computer virus
vsworm
  • Specialized
16 3.5

A program that copies itself and damages files on a computer

spreads across computers or networks rather than staying on one machine
infector
vsworm
  • Specialized
8.3

A program that attaches to files and spreads to other computers

actively moves across networks on its own without attaching to other files
malevolent program
vsworm
  • Specialized
8.0

Software that harms computers, for example by stealing data

replicates and spreads across machines rather than only performing harm locally

Antonyms

antivirus
  • Specialized
18 3.5

A program that finds and removes computer viruses and other harmful programs

Idioms

9.1

To be very ashamed and think you are worthless

oh worm
  • Slang
9.9

A short phrase people say to show mild disappointment

the worm turns
  • Informal
9.9

A change when someone treated badly starts to fight back

People who act early are more likely to succeed

Compounds

2 7.9

Rotten food that is not safe to eat

Guinea worm disease
  • Specialized
1 6.6

An infection from drinking water with baby worms that causes painful blisters when the worm comes out

Guinea worm
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A small parasite that lives in people and comes out through the skin causing strong pain after drinking dirty water

1 2.1

A small red earthworm that lives in soil, helps make soil better, and people use it as fishing bait

parasitic worm
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A small animal that lives inside another animal and takes its food, often causing sickness

wiggle worm
  • Baby Talk
1 7.5

A person, especially a child, who cannot sit still and keeps moving

worm gear
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A gear with a screw shaft that turns a toothed wheel to change direction and make turning slower and stronger

beard worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A thin sea animal that lives in a tube on the deep ocean floor and has tentacles

bladder worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A soft sac in an animal that is filled with fluid and contains a young tapeworm

8.9

A large earthworm that comes out at night or when the ground is wet and people use for fishing

annelid worm
  • Specialized
7.7

A long soft animal with a body made of many rings, like earthworms and leeches

army worm
  • Specialized
7.4

A caterpillar that moves in large groups and eats crops like grass and grain

A worm that people use as bait to catch fish

A small caterpillar with legs only near its head and tail that moves by making a loop

gun worm
  • Archaic
9.9

A tool like a corkscrew for pulling unfired bullets from a musket barrel

nematode worm
  • Specialized
7.1

A very small thin animal with a pointed body that lives in soil or inside other living things

proboscis worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A soft sea animal like a thin worm that stretches a long head to catch food

9.9

A young insect that makes holes in apples and eats their insides

A long soft sea animal that can stretch and reach prey with a thin mouth tube

oligochaete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A small worm with tiny bristles that lives in soil or water

peanut worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A small sea worm that pulls its front part into its body and looks like a peanut

polychaete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A sea worm with many body segments and small bristles on each segment

polychete worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A worm that lives in the sea with many small bristles on its sides that help it move

potato worm
  • Specialized
7.8

A large green caterpillar with white stripes that eats potato and tomato leaves

A worm with a long body made of many ring-shaped parts like an earthworm or leech

tomato worm
  • Specialized
7.2

A large green caterpillar with white stripes that eats tomato and tobacco plants

tongue worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A small wormlike parasite with hooks that lives inside the nose of animals like dogs or cows

7.4

A small insect that eats tree leaves, bark, or wood and damages the tree

trematode worm
  • Specialized
9.0

A flat parasite with suckers that lives in animals or people

spiny-headed worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives in animal intestines and can pull its spiny head back to hold on

velvet worm
  • Specialized
9.8

A small soft animal with velvety skin that catches prey with sticky slime

vinegar worm
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small worm that lives in vinegar and eats tiny living things that make it turn sour

7.2

A container where worms turn kitchen scraps into soil for plants

worm fence
  • Archaic
9.1

A fence made of wooden rails laid in a zigzag pattern

worm fish
  • Specialized
9.9

A small, long tropical fish that lives in shallow water and hides in seagrass

worm lizard
  • Specialized
9.7

A reptile without legs that lives underground and looks like a worm

worm salamander
  • Specialized
9.1

A small thin salamander that looks like a worm and lives on the Pacific coast of the United States

A small thin snake that looks like a worm and lives under stones or logs

worm wheel
  • Specialized
8.4

A gear that fits with a screw-shaped gear to turn movement at a right angle

How Harmful

ransomware
  • Specialized
8 7.9
worm
  • Specialized
26 7.4
Trojan
  • Specialized
2 6.8
virus
  • Specialized
137 3.3
spyware
  • Specialized
21 4.8
adware
  • Specialized
2 4.4

Surface Forms

worm singular
worms plural

Etymology

A computer worm is named after the animal because it 'creeps' through systems and spreads quietly, just like a real worm moves through the ground. So a computer worm is a program that moves from one machine to another by itself and can cause harm.