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Malware
Practical Law Glossary Item 2-502-5221 (Approx. 3 pages)
Glossary
Malware
Software designed to destroy, damage, disable, or gain unauthorized access to any computer system, software, or electronic data. Malware is an abbreviation of the term malicious software and is also known as malicious code.
Examples of malware include:
- Viruses. Software that inserts itself into other programs, usually performs malicious functions, and can replicate and infect other files typically when the user runs the host file.
- Worms. Standalone software that usually performs malicious functions and uses computer systems to replicate itself, but unlike viruses can replicate without user action.
- Spyware. Software that accesses and monitors a user's online activities or other computer usage without the user's notice or consent, for example to collect (or mine) valuable data for a perpetrator to use or sell, including to commit identity theft or other fraud.
- Trojan horses. Software that appears to perform a legitimate function but actually serves to distribute another type of malware, for example, a virus or spyware.
Malware is usually attached to, embedded in, or packaged with a larger software application, website, email, or digital data file (for example, a digital photograph, video, or music file) and distributed through the internet or a private network without the end user's knowledge.
For more information on malware, see Cybersecurity Tech Basics: Malware and End User Attacks: Overview.