Question:medium

What is the term for a computer virus which has a delayed payload?

Show Hint

Think of the term for malicious code that lies dormant until triggered by a set condition.
Updated On: Jul 15, 2026
  • Bomb
  • Infection
  • Trojan horses
  • Worm
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks for the specific term used when a computer virus is designed to release its harmful payload only after some delay, rather than immediately on infection.

Step 2: Key Approach:
Compare the definitions of the four listed terms against the idea of a timed or condition based delay.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
A worm focuses on spreading itself automatically from one system to another over a network, so its key feature is replication, not timing.
A Trojan horse focuses on tricking the user by pretending to be useful or harmless software, so its key feature is disguise, not timing.
Infection is simply the general act of a virus attaching itself to a file or program, and by itself says nothing about delay.
A logic bomb, commonly just called a bomb, is written to sit quietly inside a system and only activate its damaging payload when a specific date, time or event occurs, which is precisely what a delayed payload means.

Step 4: Final Answer:
Because the defining feature of a bomb is a payload that triggers only after a set delay or condition, the correct answer is Bomb, option (a).
Was this answer helpful?
0


Questions Asked in SNAP exam