Malware

Malware is a term used in the computer field to describe "Malicious Software". Malware is an inclusive term that was coined to describe viruses, spyware, worms, Rootkits, trojans, nagware, and scareware. Due to the rapidly changing landscape of viruses and spyware, many people will use the term "malware" to describe a general problem or threat that exists in the computer field and on the Internet. It is often difficult to distinguish (and explain), the subtle differences between worms, trojans, viruses, and other threats which reduce the productivity of a computer or compromise the security of a network system.

The term malware can be used to describe a program that is as harmless as an annoying pop-up box that attempts to direct a user to a website in order to increase the websites traffic. The term can also include be used to describe programs such winfixer, smitfraud, or MS Antivirus which attempt to defraud a user into sending money to a company which provides either no service or questionable services.