What is the definition of malware?

Malware, short for malicious software, is defined as software intentionally designed to cause harm to devices, networks, or users. This encompasses a wide range of harmful software, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. By definition, malware aims to exploit vulnerabilities, compromise data integrity, affect system performance negatively, or enable unauthorized access to sensitive information.

While other choices refer to types of software that have specific functions such as data recovery, data encryption, or performance enhancement, these do not align with the fundamental nature of malware. The goal of malware is inherently harmful, which clearly distinguishes it from benign software designed for beneficial tasks.