Worms

ALSO CALLED: Email Worms, Software Worms, W32, Linux Worms, Mass Mailing Worms, Application Worms, Worm Viruses, Computer Worms, IM Worms, AIM Worms, Internet Worms, Network Worms, Worm Attacks, Database Worms
DEFINITION: A bot worm is a self-replicating malware program that resides in current memory (RAM), turns infected computers into zombies (or bots) and transmits itself to other computers. A bot worm may be created with the ultimate intention of creating a botnet that functions as a vehicle for the spread of viruses, Trojans and spam. Typically, bot worms have exploited vulnerabilities in Windows operating systems  … 
Definition continues below.

WORMS DEFINITION (continued): …  but attacks are increasingly targeting other types of applications, including antivirus software. In December 2006, a bot worm called Big Yellow exploited a vulnerability in the corporate version of Symantec's security software. One of the earliest bot worms was Zotob, which exploited a buffer overflow vulnerability, allowing malicious hackers to gather personal and financial information from targeted computers and networks. Sometimes the presence of a bot worm causes the infected computer to repeatedly crash. Often, however, the user of an infected computer may not be aware of the trouble until … 
Worms definition sponsored by SearchSecurity.com, powered by WhatIs.com an online computer dictionary