What is a distinguishing feature of a metamorphic virus?

A metamorphic virus is characterized by its ability to completely rewrite its own code. This means that each time it infects a new system or replicates, it alters its own structure, creating variants that can bypass traditional signature-based detection methods used by antivirus software. This self-altering behavior makes it particularly difficult for security systems to recognize and neutralize the threat, as the virus does not maintain a fixed pattern or signature that could be easily detected.

This unique capability distinguishes metamorphic viruses from other types of malware, which may rely on more static code patterns or signatures. While other options discuss actions and behaviors associated with malware, they do not capture this key characteristic of metamorphic viruses.