What does malware mean?
Malware is a general term for software created to cause harm, disrupt systems, steal information, or gain unauthorized access to computers and networks. It includes familiar categories such as viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, and ransomware, although not every harmful software fault is called malware. The word is especially common in cybersecurity, information technology, and reporting on digital crime. In general usage, “malware” usually refers to malicious software as a whole, while a particular malicious program may be called a virus, worm, trojan, or other more specific term. The word is normally treated as an uncountable mass noun, as in “a malware scan” and “the system was infected with malware.” Understanding the term is useful because malware is one of the central concepts in computer security, and the broader category includes many different methods of attacking devices and the people who use them.
nounMalware is software designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer, network, or device. The term can refer to a malicious program or to malicious software collectively.
- Software, or malicious software collectively, designed to damage, disrupt, or compromise computer systems or the people using them.
- A specific malicious program, such as a virus, worm, trojan, or piece of spyware.
"The security team isolated several computers after detecting malware on the network."
"The latest update removes several threats, including malware that can steal saved passwords."
"Security researchers discovered new malware designed to spread through infected documents."
Normally treated as an uncountable mass noun and has no standard plural in general usage.
"The incident report described the malware as a malicious program that exfiltrated confidential files."
Malware turns the tools we use to communicate and work against the people who depend on them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does malware come from?
Malware combines the prefix “mal-” meaning “bad” or “evil” with “ware,” an established informal term for software or hardware. The compound was used in the late 20th century as a shortening of “malicious software.” Its elements reflect the same broad idea found in words such as malicious, malignant, and malevolent, all of which are associated with the Latin root malus, meaning “bad.”
How malware is actually used
Malware is a mass noun and is normally used without an article or plural in general references: “The system was infected with malware.” When referring to individual malicious programs, the plural “malwares” is possible but less common. The term is primarily used in computing and cybersecurity contexts.