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

Explanation

Look out! Computer programs that are intended to cause harm or damage your computer are malware. Viruses and spyware are common types of malware. Malware is a code or file that's meant to injure computer users by stealing their data, secretly monitoring their activity, or harming the computer itself. The term malware, which was first used in 1997, is short for "malicious software." If your computer has a firewall or antivirus software, that's your protection against malware. You can also avoid it by not clicking on mysterious links sent from unknown email addresses.

Example Sentences

Last November, Google’s Threat Intelligence Group published a report showing that bad actors are deploying AI-enhanced malware with the capability to rewrite its source code midexecution to avoid antivirus software.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

The price might be right, but if you buy a dirt-cheap gadget, it could come with residential proxy software—preinstalled malware that gives hackers access to your home network.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

"They rely on highly personalised phishing emails, automatically generated malware, and synthetic identities that appear deceptively real," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Proton VPN also offers NetShield, which blocks ads and malware, as well as Smart DNS for enhanced streaming.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Harmless-looking digital images that contain malware are yet another.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield