malware

USAGE SUMMARY

'malware' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe any type of malicious software, such as viruses and Trojan Horses. For example, "My computer was infected by malware and I had to get a new hard drive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said that Sony's network could have been infected through a "watering hole" attack – where malware is planted on a site used by staff from different companies in the same business sector.

The Guardian - Film

We don't see the decline in the instances of malware," she tells me.

The Guardian - Tech

"They don't want to fire silver bullets unless it's absolutely necessary; like a zero day [a previously unknown and unpatched vulnerability] or something like that, or a previously unseen piece of malware.

The Guardian - Tech

He pointed out that if an encrypted email is sent from an infected source (such as a computer), the malware spreads.

The Guardian

Though the idea sounds enticing, a Tory spokesperson was unable to give any more detail on whether this would relate to how often items were stolen, or how difficult they were to attack through malware or hacking.

The Guardian - Tech

It includes information deemed illegal by a court (such as defamation), pirated content (once we're notified by the right's holder), malware, personal information such as bank details, child sexual abuse imagery and other things prohibited by local law (such as material that glorifies Nazism in Germany).

The Guardian - Opinion

He speaks of a future "privacy tsunami" that will wake people up to what is happening to their privacy, in the same way that early PC malware created a market for antivirus products.

The Guardian - Tech

Other similar malware uses networks to infect industrial targets, which, as we've learned, are all too vulnerable.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Whether they're cyber criminals or state sponsored actors, I think a lot of times they can get into a network using a less sophisticated approach or a variant of a known piece of malware… it's a lower risk operationally for them," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

Because it is effectively invisible to security software, cyber-criminals use it for secretly installing other malware, including Blackhole.

The Economist

The inserted malware can be a virus, a Trojan or, most likely, a key-logger.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "malware", be specific about its type (e.g., ransomware, spyware) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "malware" as a synonym for all cyberattacks. "Malware" refers specifically to malicious software, whereas hacking encompasses a broader range of activities, including unauthorized access and data breaches.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "malware" is as a noun. It refers to software designed to cause damage to a computer system. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts, confirming its role as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malware" is a grammatically correct and very common noun used to describe malicious software. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While interchangeable with terms like "malicious software", it's important to be specific about the type of "malware" when possible. Avoid using "malware" as a blanket term for all cyberattacks. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively communicate about digital security threats. The most authoritative sources using this word include The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

malicious software

Replaces "malware" with a more descriptive term, focusing on its harmful intent.

harmful code

Emphasizes the damaging nature of the software.

computer virus

Specifies a particular type of "malware" that replicates itself.

Trojan horse

Refers to "malware" disguised as legitimate software.

infected software

Focuses on the compromised state of the software.

spyware

Highlights "malware" designed to secretly monitor user activity.

adware

Focuses on "malware" that displays unwanted advertisements.

ransomware

Identifies "malware" that encrypts files and demands payment for their release.

cyber threat

Broadens the scope to include any digital danger.

security risk

Generalizes the concept to any potential danger to system security.

FAQs

How to use "malware" in a sentence?

You can use "malware" in a sentence like: "The company's network was infected with sophisticated "malicious software", causing significant data loss."

What are the different types of "malware"?

Different types of "malware" include "viruses", "Trojan horses", "worms", "spyware", "adware", and "ransomware", each with unique characteristics and purposes.

What can I say instead of "malware"?

You can use alternatives like ""malicious software"", "harmful code", or "cyber threat" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "malware" and a "virus"?

"Malware" is a general term for malicious software. A "computer virus" is a specific type of "malware" that replicates itself and spreads to other files or systems.