Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA) — Question 1

Which type of malware is self-replicating but must first infect a host program and be executed by a user or process?

Answer options

• A. vulnerability
• B. worm
• C. exploit
• D. virus

Correct answer: B

Explanation

A virus is a type of malware that requires a host program to attach to and must be executed to spread, making it self-replicating. A worm, on the other hand, can spread independently without needing a host program, while an exploit takes advantage of vulnerabilities, and a vulnerability itself is a weakness that can be exploited.