The difference between a virus and a worm in computer terms lies in their behavior and replication mechanisms. A virus attaches itself to clean files and spreads when the infected program or file is executed. It requires user action to propagate, often causing damage upon activation. Conversely, a worm is a standalone malware that replicates itself across networks without human intervention, exploiting vulnerabilities in operating systems or applications. While both can cause significant damage, worms spread more rapidly and often lead to greater network disruptions.