: software designed to interfere with a computer's normal functioning
Examples of malware in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Making this story even more disturbing is that the malware used as a part of this scam is readily available for sale on the Dark Web, that part of the internet where criminals buy and sell goods and services.
—
Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
There are no signs that the company still deals in adware, malware, or user data.
—PC Magazine, 13 June 2025
Researchers say the malware has been spotted in 222 countries.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
More than a dozen modules that allow devices from these manufacturers to run on Linux allow an attacker with physical access to turn off Secure Boot and, from there, go on to install malware that runs before the operating system loads.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for malware
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Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
There are no signs that the company still deals in adware, malware, or user data.
—PC Magazine, 13 June 2025
Researchers say the malware has been spotted in 222 countries.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025
More than a dozen modules that allow devices from these manufacturers to run on Linux allow an attacker with physical access to turn off Secure Boot and, from there, go on to install malware that runs before the operating system loads.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 10 June 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 18 Jun. 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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