Which type of malware propagates across networks without human interaction?

Worms are a type of malware that can autonomously propagate across networks, which is a key characteristic that sets them apart from other malware types. Unlike viruses, which require human actions like opening files or running programs to spread, worms exploit vulnerabilities in network protocols or software to replicate themselves automatically. This allows worms to spread rapidly by leveraging systems connected to the same network, sometimes without any human intervention or interaction at all.

Whereas viruses attach themselves to executable files and require some form of user initiation to execute and spread, worms act independently, making them particularly dangerous in terms of network security. Trojans, on the other hand, disguise themselves as legitimate software or files to trick users into executing them, while spyware mainly focuses on gathering information from a user's device without their knowledge or consent. These distinctions clarify why worms are uniquely capable of self-propagation across networks.