Which three types of malware are commonly identified in computer security?

The identification of viruses, worms, and trojans as the three common types of malware highlights distinct forms of malicious software that can compromise computer systems.

Viruses are pieces of code that attach themselves to legitimate programs. When the host program is executed, the virus activates, infecting other files and spreading throughout the system and possibly to other systems. They often require user action to propagate, making them a pervasive threat that exploits user behavior.

Worms, on the other hand, are self-replicating malware that spread independently across networks. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to attach themselves to a host program; they can exploit vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to replicate and spread across systems without user intervention. This makes them particularly dangerous as they can infect entire networks swiftly.

Trojans, named after the legendary Trojan horse, masquerade as legitimate software to deceive users into executing them. Unlike viruses and worms, trojans do not self-replicate and rely on user interaction to propagate. They can give unauthorized access to attackers, steal sensitive information, or damage systems.

In contrast, the other answer options contain types of malware that are indeed significant but either mix categories that do not align with the question's focus or include threats like phishing, which is