An intentionally disruptive software that spreads from computer to computer is known as
- (a)search engine
- (b)chat software
- (c)e-mail
- (d)virus
Correct — D, virus. A computer virus is malicious software written deliberately to disrupt, damage or interfere with a system, and it copies itself so as to spread from one computer to another. Of the four options, only a virus is malware; the other three are ordinary, useful tools. (Strictly, malware that spreads automatically across a network on its own is called a 'worm'; a virus usually attaches to a file and needs the file to be run — but among these choices 'virus' is the intended malicious-software answer.)
- (a)search engine — A search engine (e.g. Google) is a helpful tool that finds information on the web — not disruptive software.
- (b)chat software — Chat/messaging software (e.g. WhatsApp) is a legitimate communication tool, not malware.
- (c)e-mail — E-mail is a normal communication service; although it can carry an infected attachment, e-mail itself is not disruptive software.
Malware is software written to harm or disrupt. Its main types differ by how they spread: a virus attaches to a host file and activates when that file is run; a worm is self-replicating and spreads across networks by itself; a trojan hides inside apparently useful software to trick the user into installing it. The question's phrase 'spreads from computer to computer' loosely fits both viruses and worms, and 'virus' is the umbrella word most people use.
The trick is that three options are everyday, benign tools. Spot the one word that means malicious software — 'virus' — and the rest fall away. Do not over-think the virus-versus-worm nuance; the exam wants the malware term.
- A computer virus is malicious code that self-copies and needs a host file to run.
- A worm spreads across networks automatically, without a host file or user action.
- A trojan disguises itself as legitimate software to trick the user into installing it.
- Search engines, chat apps and e-mail are ordinary tools, not malware.
All three are malware; the exam's chosen term for disruptive, self-spreading software here is 'virus'.
- Confusing virus (needs a host file) with worm (self-spreading over networks)
- Treating e-mail as 'the malware' because malware often arrives by e-mail
MPPSC repeatedly asks the definition or full form of 'virus' and to tell malware types apart; UPSC frames it within cyber security and IT Act contexts.
A malware, that looks like a legitimate software and once it tricks a user into installing it, acts pretty much like a virus or worm, is known as :
- (a) Keylogger
- (b) Ransomware
- (c) Trojan
- (d) Spyware
Answer(c) Trojan
Same concept — telling malware types apart; the 2025 question builds on the virus idea by adding the trojan (disguised) and worm (self-spreading) distinctions.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Malware that spreads across a network by itself, without needing a host file or user action, is called a:
- (a)worm
- (b)cookie
- (c)compiler
- (d)browser
Answer(a) worm — a self-replicating program that spreads on its own.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Software designed to detect and remove malicious programs from a computer is a(n):
- (a)antivirus
- (b)spreadsheet
- (c)search engine
- (d)operating system
Answer(a) antivirus.