Final answer:
A worm is a self-replicating program that autonomously spreads across networks, consumes bandwidth, and can carry harmful payloads.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of self-replicating program that copies itself to other computers on a network without any user intervention and consumes bandwidth and computer resources is known as a worm. Unlike viruses, worms do not need to attach themselves to an existing program and can spread independently over networks. They can move independently through a computer network, exploiting vulnerabilities to infect other computers. They take advantage of security vulnerabilities to replicate and disperse across networks, often causing harm by consuming bandwidth and slowing down systems or by carrying payloads that damage files or steal information.