Which type of malware is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers?

The type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread to other computers is a virus. A virus attaches itself to legitimate programs or files and, when executed, can replicate by inserting copies of itself into other programs or files. This ability to spread is what distinguishes a virus from other types of malware.

Virus infections typically occur when a user unknowingly runs an infected program, allowing the virus to propagate within the system and potentially to other systems, particularly through network connections or removable media. This self-replicating behavior can lead to significant damage, including data corruption and diminished system performance, making viruses particularly harmful.

In contrast, the other types of malware listed have different purposes: adware typically collects user data and displays advertisements, spyware gathers information about a user's activities without their consent, and ransomware encrypts files or locks systems to extort payment from the victim. None of these types are focused on self-replication and spreading to other systems in the same way a virus does.