: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning
Examples of malware in a Sentence
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The other permissions that should never be granted to any app unless absolutely necessary is Accessibility Services, which are system tools that can be abused by malware to take control of devices and their key system functions.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Guan and his team then decided to write malware that exploited this security flaw to infect roughly 81,000 firewall devices around the world in a three-day period.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
Many scams include links to malicious websites or attachments that have hidden malware embedded in them.
—Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024
However, scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, often using fake update notifications to trick you into downloading malware or providing personal information.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malware 
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Zak Doffman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Guan and his team then decided to write malware that exploited this security flaw to infect roughly 81,000 firewall devices around the world in a three-day period.
—Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
Many scams include links to malicious websites or attachments that have hidden malware embedded in them.
—Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024
However, scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, often using fake update notifications to trick you into downloading malware or providing personal information.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for malware
Dictionary Entries Near malware
Cite this Entry
“Malware.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malware. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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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