parasite
7
7.2
- noun
- /ˈpærəˌsaɪt/
- Specialized
:
parásito informático
- The antivirus software successfully detected and removed the hidden parasite from the computer.
Examples
-
Many computers were infected by a parasite that spread through malicious email attachments.
-
My parasite is consuming all the new memory.
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Can we get rid of the electronic parasites?
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A self-aware, self-learning, truth-eating digital parasite infesting all of cyberspace.
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After running the security check, we discovered a parasite that was stealing personal information.
Synonyms
26
7.4
A program that copies itself and spreads across computers to cause harm
Antonyms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
4.1
A very small single cell that lives in human blood, spreads by mosquito bites and causes malaria
- UK
A rare endangered tree from New Caledonia that grows on another tree and takes food and water from it
How Harmful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Parasite comes from Greek parts para- ('beside', as in parallel) and sitos ('food'), which gave the image of someone living at another's table. In computing a parasite follows that picture: it attaches to another program and uses it or steals its data.