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Glite Dictionary
malevolent program

malevolent program

8.0
Software that harms computers, for example by stealing data
  • noun
  • /məˈlɛvələnt ˈprɒɡræm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : programa malicioso
  • The malevolent program infected hundreds of computers overnight.

Examples

  • Clicking on suspicious email links can install a malevolent program without your knowledge.

  • Antivirus software is designed to protect against any malevolent program that tries to access the system.

  • The IT department detected a malevolent program that was stealing user data from their computers.

  • A malevolent program can steal personal information.

  • The security software detected a malevolent program trying to steal personal information from the user's device.

  • After the update, the technicians found a malevolent program embedded in the software that compromised the system's security.

  • Users are warned to avoid opening emails from unknown sources, as they may contain malevolent programs that can harm their computers.

Synonyms

virus
vsmalevolent program
  • Specialized
137 3.3

A harmful computer program that copies itself and can damage files

is defined broadly as harmful software not only self-replicating ones
malware
vsmalevolent program
  • Specialized
43 4.3

Programs that harm computers or let someone access them without permission

is the general term for harmful system software rather than a specific type
worm
vsmalevolent program
  • Specialized
26 7.4

A program that copies itself and spreads across computers to cause harm

is harmful software generally not only defined by spreading method
spyware
vsmalevolent program
  • Specialized
21 4.8

A program that secretly takes information from your computer and sends it to others

is any harmful program but this one focuses on hidden data collection
computer virus
vsmalevolent program
  • Specialized
16 3.5

A program that copies itself and damages files on a computer

is a harmful program but focuses on reproduction and file damage
trojan horse
vsmalevolent program
  • Texting
6.1

A computer program that looks useful but hides harmful code

is deceptive in form not just plainly harmful like other types
trojan
vsmalevolent program
  • Texting
8.2

A harmful computer program that looks safe but damages your files

is disguised as useful but actually causes unwanted system harm
infector
vsmalevolent program
  • Specialized
8.3

A program that attaches to files and spreads to other computers

is a harmful program that infects others rather than any harmless software

How Harmful

ransomware
  • Specialized
8 7.9
malevolent program
  • Specialized
8.0
spyware
  • Specialized
21 4.8
adware
  • Specialized
2 4.4

Surface Forms

malevolent program singular
malevolent programs plural

Morphology

malevolent + program

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'malevolent' (wishing harm) modifies 'program' (computer instructions), so the combined meaning 'a program created to cause harm' follows immediately from the constituents. This adjective+noun pattern is a standard, cross-linguistically common composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand the MWE.

Etymology

The term malevolent program puts together malevolent, meaning 'wanting to harm', and program, meaning 'instructions a computer follows', so you can imagine a little robot built to cause trouble. That's why it means 'a computer program made to harm a system'.