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Cybersecurity vocabulary · Malware

Virus

Meaning in cybersecurity, with examples

/ˈvaɪrəs/nounCore term

In cybersecurity, virus means: A type of malware that attaches itself to a file or program and spreads to other files when that program is run.

In Turkish: virüs, bilgisayar virüsü

How it is used

Outside the profession, 'virus' is used for any kind of malware, as in 'my computer has a virus'. Professionals use it more precisely and prefer 'malware' as the general word. Antivirus products keep the old name even though they detect all types.

Example sentences

  1. The user thought it was a virus, but it turned out to be adware.

  2. The virus spread through infected files on a shared USB drive.

Common collocations

  • computer virus
  • virus infection
  • virus scan
  • spread a virus
  • malwareShort for 'malicious software': any program written to damage systems, steal data, spy on users or take control of a device without permission.
  • wormMalware that copies itself and spreads from one computer to another across a network without any action from the user.
  • antivirusSecurity software that scans files and devices to detect, block and remove malware, using known signatures and suspicious behaviour.
  • trojanMalware disguised as a useful or harmless program, such as a free tool or a document, that secretly performs harmful actions once it is run.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Malware

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