What type of malware is specifically designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers?

The type of malware specifically designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers is a worm. Worms are unique in that they can independently exploit vulnerabilities in systems or networks to propagate without any human intervention. Unlike viruses, which require a host file to execute and spread, worms can directly infect other systems over networks by sending copies of themselves.

The self-replicating nature of worms allows them to continue spreading across connected devices, often leading to significant disruption, congestion, or damage to systems and networks. This ability to self-replicate distinguishes them from other types of malware. For instance, spyware focuses on collecting user data without their knowledge, viruses attach themselves to files and require interaction to spread, and rootkits are meant to give an attacker remote control over a system while remaining hidden from detection. Understanding this distinction is crucial for recognizing different types of malware and their respective behaviors.