Google Worm

A Google worm, like all software worms, is a program that reproduces itself and spreads to other computers over a network.

Google worms use the automatic file sending and receiving features found on most computers. A worm reveals itself as a Google worm by launching some kind of attack on the Google corporation, though it may attack your computer as well. 

A google worm is a virus. One common kind of Google worm mails copies of itself to other computers, and you could easily find one popping up in your mailbox. To stop Google worms, and other viruses, buy a good anti-virus package, from a reputable company.

The Google worm mentioned in the last paragraph, not only floods thousands of mail boxes with copies of itself, but performs thousands of pointless Google searches from each machine it infects. If you have broadband you might not even notice this going on, but when thousands of machines get infected the vast number of total searches happening have slowed down Google's servers. In some cases, they have put them out of service.

• In July 2004 a Google worm called MyDoom flooded the network

The MyDoom affected Google and several other search engines. MyDoom came with a back door that potentially enables a hacker to take control of an infected system. Several other kinds of worm open back doors and harvest e-mail addresses. 

Vomitous Google Worm

In passing, note that "Google worm" has another meaning, because of a war between two cultural icons. In 2002 Anita Roddick had her site suspended by Google for calling John Malkovich "a vomitous worm", for reasons I will not go into here. Google restored Roddick's account after she explained why she had said this. 

Google Worm Moral

The moral of this story is make sure you have an up to date copy of a well respected anti-virus application, and don't insult people. 

Finally, make sure to back up your system so that you can recover your work if your machine is devastated by a Google worm.