malware

American  

[mal-wair] / ˈmælˌwɛər /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. software intended to damage a computer, mobile device, computer system, or computer network, or to take partial control over its operation.

   tips on finding and removing viruses, spyware, and other malware.

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malware British  

/ ˈmælwɛə /

noun

1. a computer program designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus

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malware Scientific  

/ măl′wâr′ /

1. Software that is written and distributed for malicious purposes, such as impairing or destroying computer systems. Computer viruses are malware.

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Etymology

Origin of malware

First recorded in 1990–95; mal(icious) + -ware

Example Sentences

“AI makes better malware more accessible to more people, and that sucks,” said Trevor Hilligoss, former FBI Cyber Task force agent and current senior vice president at security firm SpyCloud Labs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iranian-linked groups span almost the entire spectrum of cyber activity, relying on internet scanning to find vulnerable targets and developing custom malware, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

France is probing possible foreign interference after a passenger ferry was infected with malware that could allow the ship to be remotely controlled, the interior minister said Wednesday.

From Barron's

Russian government-backed hackers likewise used a Google model to develop malware.

From The Wall Street Journal

It catches basic malware and phishing sites but shouldn’t be your only line of defense.

From Salon