What exactly is malware?

[(8)]

What is malware? What does it do. How do I get it?

 

[iSwap]

By Wikipedia definition:

Malware, short for malicious software, is software designed to infiltrate a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.[1] The term "computer virus" is sometimes used as a catch-all phrase to include all types of malware, including true viruses.

Software is considered to be malware based on the perceived intent of the creator rather than any particular features. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, crimeware, most rootkits, and other malicious and unwanted software.

 

[skautas]

More or less a virus that can steal your information from your computer, keylog, etc

 

[1234567ASDF]

A virus, spyware, etc.

You don't WANT malware.

See the sticky for software that prevents it.

 

[ElivOk]

The most commonly used/know term for malware is called a "virus" but "Malware" also and technically stands for "malicious software". A malware (malicious software) is in some shape or form of a file,which are usually small in type of size's, the main aims/objective of a malicious file is to infiltrate the main-frame or to steal details/information from their victims without the victim having any knowledge of this process happening to them. Malicous files can cause/create different types of damage which come in certain forms, the most commonly known are:
-Remote Administration Tools (RAT)
-Keyloggers
-Stealers