Context

Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is intentionally harmful to a computer, network, or server.

Malware can infect networks and devices and is designed to harm those devices, networks, and/or their users in some way.

Depending on the type of malware and its goal, this harm may present itself differently to the user or endpoint. In some cases, the effect malware has is relatively mild and benign, and in others, it can be disastrous.