Which type of malware is known for self-replication?

The type of malware known for self-replication is a worm. Worms are designed to spread independently across networks and systems without requiring user action. They exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems or applications to propagate, making them particularly effective at spreading rapidly and causing widespread damage.

Worms differ from viruses, which need to attach themselves to a host file and rely on human interaction, such as opening an infected file or email, to replicate. Trojans, on the other hand, masquerade as legitimate software but do not replicate themselves; instead, they deceive users into installing them. Spyware, while harmful, primarily focuses on collecting user data without consent and does not replicate at all. Therefore, the defining characteristic of worms is their ability to self-replicate and spread autonomously, which distinguishes them clearly from these other types of malware.