A wabbit is a type of self-replicating computer program. Unlike viruses, wabbits do not infect host programs or documents. Unlike worms, wabbits do not use network capabilities of computers to spread. Instead, a wabbit repeatedly replicates itself on a local computer. Wabbits can be programmed to have (malicious) side effects, in addition to the direct consequences of their quick self-replication. An example of a wabbit is a fork bomb.

The name "wabbit" is probably derived from Elmer Fudd's pronunciation of 'rabbit' in the Warner Brothers cartoons that featured him and Bugs Bunny. Like rabbits, these programs have an ability to multiply quickly.

"Be vewwy, vewwy quiet. I'm hunting wabbits." -- Elmer Fudd.

See also

• Fork bomb