malware
MAL-wair
/ˈmælˌwɛər/
Software that is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
Malware is a broad umbrella term that includes viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and more. Its defining characteristic is its malicious intent.
The story behind the word. The word 'malware' is a clever blend of 'malicious' and 'software.' 'Malicious' itself comes from the Latin word 'malus,' meaning 'bad' or 'evil.' So, 'malware' literally means 'bad software' or 'evil software.' It's a perfect descriptor for any program designed with harmful intentions, from annoying pop-ups to devastating data destroyers.
Word relationships
- virus: A type of malware that attaches to legitimate programs and spreads.
- worm: A type of malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers without human interaction.
- trojan: A type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software.
- antivirus software: Software designed to protect against malware.
- clean software: Software free from malicious code.
Commonly confused with
- virus: A virus is a specific type of malware. All viruses are malware, but not all malware are viruses. Malware is the umbrella term.
Collocations
- detect malware
- remove malware
- malware attack
- malware infection
- anti-malware software
Example sentences
- "Opening unknown email attachments can expose your computer to dangerous malware." A warning about opening suspicious attachments.
- "The new strain of malware was designed to steal financial information from unsuspecting users." A cybersecurity report.
- "Regularly updating your antivirus software is crucial for detecting and removing malware." Advice for protecting your computer.
Memory hook
Think of 'MAL' (bad) 'WARE' (software) as 'bad software'. Malicious Ware
When not to use
Do not use 'malware' to describe general software bugs or glitches that are unintentional. Malware is always intentionally harmful.
Fun facts
- The first computer virus, 'Elk Cloner,' appeared in 1982, affecting Apple II systems.
- The term 'malware' was coined in 1990 by Yisrael Radai, a security researcher.
Related words
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