malware

(noun)

Software which has been designed to operate in a malicious, undesirable manner.

Related Terms

Examples of malware in the following topics:

  • Malware

    • Malware is a general term used to refer to a variety of forms of hostile or intrusive software.
    • Malware includes computer viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and trojan horses .
    • Malware has caused the rise in use of protective software types such as anti-virus, anti-malware, and firewalls.
    • Another strictly for-profit category of malware has emerged, called spyware.
    • The prevalence of malware as a vehicle for Internet crime, along with the challenge of anti-malware software to keep up with the continuous stream of new malware, has seen the adoption of a new mindset for individuals and businesses using the Internet.

  • Forced Entry

    • Crimes that primarily target computer networks or devices include computer viruses, denial-of-service attacks, and malware.