Final answer:
Computer viruses and worms are both malware that can replicate and spread, but viruses require user action to propagate, while worms can do so automatically by exploiting network vulnerabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
One similarity between computer viruses and computer worms is that they are both types of malware designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Both can replicate themselves and spread from host to host, although the methods they use to spread may differ.
A key difference between a virus and a worm is the method of propagation. A computer virus typically requires user action to replicate, such as opening an infected email attachment or downloading and executing a file containing the virus. In contrast, a computer worm can replicate and spread independently without the need to attach itself to a software program or require user interaction. Worms often exploit vulnerabilities in network protocols or software to spread across networks, making them particularly effective at rapidly disseminating across multiple computers.