What does the term "malware" encompass?

Malware is a broad term that encompasses all types of harmful software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems. This includes various forms such as viruses, worms, Trojans, ransomware, adware, and spyware. The key aspect of malware is its potential to create harm or compromise the performance and security of systems or networks.

Focusing solely on specific types of malware—like computer viruses or just adware and spyware—would not capture the full scope of what malware represents. Some options emphasize only parts of the spectrum, disregarding other equally harmful forms. For example, limiting the definition to network-based threats also misses various types of malware that can infect individual systems or software without necessarily being network-centric. Therefore, recognizing that malware covers all harmful software types provides a comprehensive understanding essential for cybersecurity awareness and practices.