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malware
[ mal-wair ]
/ ĖmƦlĖwÉÉr /
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noun Digital Technology.
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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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asā¦
Origin of malware
First recorded in 1990ā95; mal(icious) + -ware
Words nearby malware
malversation, Malvinas, Malvine, malvoisie, malwa, malware, mam, mama, mamaguy, mamaku, Mamallapuram
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use malware in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for malware
malware
/ (ĖmƦlwÉÉ) /
noun
a computer program designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus
Word Origin for malware
C20: from mal (icious) + (soft) ware
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for malware
malware
[ mÄlā²wĆ¢rā² ]
Software that is written and distributed for malicious purposes, such as impairing or destroying computer systems. Computer viruses are malware.
The American HeritageĀ® Science Dictionary
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