: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning
Examples of malware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, cybersecurity teams focus on safeguarding networks, data, and digital assets from virtual threats like hacking, phishing, and malware.
—
Tony Bradley, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
George asks about the malware, about Leon, and about … Anna Sindler.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
According to Impact My Biz, open printer networks can be exploited by hackers to gain access to sensitive data, waste resources, or even distribute malware.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
Russia’s effort to deploy malware also had little effect because of Microsoft’s intervention.
—Matt Kaplan, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2025
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Tony Bradley, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
George asks about the malware, about Leon, and about … Anna Sindler.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
According to Impact My Biz, open printer networks can be exploited by hackers to gain access to sensitive data, waste resources, or even distribute malware.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
Russia’s effort to deploy malware also had little effect because of Microsoft’s intervention.
—Matt Kaplan, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malware
Cite this Entry
“Malware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malware. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
malware
noun
mal·ware
ˈmal-ˌwer 
: software that is designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning and that can be used to commit cybercrime (as by revealing passwords, PINs, and other sensitive data)
Etymology
mal- bad + software
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