Meaning & use

malware

noun·Everyday

Software specifically designed to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

See it in a sentence

Clicking the suspicious link installed malware that quietly stole her saved passwords.

The company's antivirus program blocked the malware before it could spread across the network.

A note on using this word

Malware is an umbrella term covering viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware alike.

Words with a similar meaning

virusspyware

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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