malware(Programs written with the intent of being disruptive or damaging to (the user of) a computer or other electronic device; viruses, worms, spyware, etc., collectively. 1990 Re: Need Advice on Anti-viral CRC Schem[e] in sci.crypt (Usenet newsgroup) 19 July What malware writers are interested in is in causing damage to as many different users as possible. 1995 Information Week (Nexis) 19 Dec. 62 Fast-propagating malware has been on the increase in recent months, and companies that develop and sell software to stop new forms of damaging code admit they are having difficulty keeping up. 2004 .Net Christmas 21/1 Much of the malware is silently downloaded and installed through designed features or in holes in operating system and applications. OED Alexander Demidov)
