What type of self-replicating malware spreads across networks without requiring user interaction?

Self-replicating malware that spreads across networks without requiring user interaction is categorized as a worm. Worms are designed to independently exploit vulnerabilities in networked systems, allowing them to create copies of themselves and propagate to other computers without any action needed from the user. This automatic spreading behavior distinguishes worms from other types of malware, which typically rely on user actions to facilitate their distribution.

For example, a Trojan often masquerades as legitimate software and tricks users into executing it, while spyware focuses on gathering information without the user's consent. Adware, similarly, may require user initiation and installs software that displays advertisements. Worms, therefore, represent a unique and concerning category of malware due to their capacity to spread autonomously, often resulting in rapid infections across large networks.