Dictionary · Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Malware
Threats · Beginner
Software built to perform unwanted or harmful actions, often without the owner's informed consent. Viruses, worms, and remote-control tools are examples.
It is a category, not one program. What it does varies: steal data, spread, hide, or lock files. Defenders look for behavior and known indicators rather than a single filename.
Example: A spreadsheet attachment installs a remote-control program. That program is malware even before anyone learns its brand name.
Common misconception
- Antivirus pop-ups and scary filenames are not proof. Malware is defined by harmful behavior or a confirmed malicious program.