---
id: "malware"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "malware"
language: "en"
category: "Security and abuse"
updated: "2026-10-04T14:01:23Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/malware/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/malware/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/malware/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/logiciel-malveillant/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/malware/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/malware/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/vredonosnoe-po/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/eyi-ruanjian/"
---

# malware

Harmful software, such as viruses or ransomware, that damages devices or steals data. Domains are often used to spread it or control it. Malware distribution is one of the forms of DNS abuse that gTLD registries and registrars must act against.

## related terms

- [botnet](https://tldlog.com/glossary/botnet/)
- [DNS abuse](https://tldlog.com/glossary/dns-abuse/)
- [phishing](https://tldlog.com/glossary/phishing/)
- [takedown](https://tldlog.com/glossary/takedown/)