Malware is best defined as which of the following?

• A. A program/file intentionally harmful to a computer
• B. A harmless screensaver
• C. A program that improves computer performance
• D. A legal software updater

Answer: (A)

Malware is software designed to harm, disrupt, steal data, or take unauthorized control of a computer. The key idea is intentional harm or misuse of the system, which sets malware apart from ordinary programs. A harmless screensaver isn’t malware, even though it’s software. Programs that claim to improve performance aren’t automatically malware, and a legal software updater is legitimate—neither fits the malicious intent of malware. Because the defining trait is the intent to damage or exploit, the best definition is a program or file created with the purpose of harming a computer.