Glossary

Email worm

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Email worm

An email worm is a type of self-replicating malware designed to spread via email without human intervention. It typically arrives as an attachment or link in a malicious email. When executed, the worm uses the infected device’s contact list to send itself to other recipients, spreading quickly across networks. 

Email worms: 

  • Do not need to attach to an existing file (unlike viruses) 
  • Often pose as legitimate documents (e.g., invoices, resumes) 
  • May exploit security vulnerabilities to run automatically 
  • Can cause widespread delivery issues if sent through compromised accounts 

While less common today due to modern security practices, email worms still exist and may be blocked or flagged by spam filters – especially if attachments or sending patterns resemble known worm behavior. 

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