(mal´wãr) (n.) Short for malicious software, malware refers to software designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus or a Trojan horse.
Types of Malware
As the phrase malware includes any type of malicious code, there are many different types of malware, from spyware to key loggers and computer viruses or worms. Some types of malware, such as financial malware, which is designed to scan a computer system for information related to financial transactions, are more common than other types. One example is Cridex, a sophisticated strain of banking malware.
Protection Against Malware
The standard protection from malware is anti-malware — software tools and programs designed to identify, remove and prevent malicious software from infecting computer systems or electronic devices.