WORM

W rite O nce R ead M any depicts a write-once-read-many memory device that allows an author to store prepared files once into memory so that other users may read but not alter those files. Alternately WORM also depicts a computer program which replicates itself. The Internet worm was perhaps the most famous; it successfully duplicated itself on many of the systems across the Internet. More commonly, however, the term refers to WORM Drives such as CD-ROM recorders that will allow authors to record computer files one time on a compact disc but will not allow revisions or other materials to be added to the disc at a later time. Of course, it is often possible to download WORM files into hard drive discs and make revisions that can then be recorded on a new compact disc. The term WORM now has a somewhat bad connotation since so many destructive viruses transmitted over the email and the Internet are WORM viruses. (See also CD-ROM and Optical drive )