Malicious

Malicious is an English adjective describing actions, statements, or intentions intended to cause harm, distress, or wrongdoing. It denotes deliberate wrongdoing, as opposed to accidental or negligent harm. The term is often contrasted with benevolent or innocent conduct, and with phrases such as malicious intent, which refers to awareness that one's actions are wrongful or harmful.

Etymology: The word derives from Latin malitia (malice) from malus “bad,” through Old French and Middle English into modern English.

Legal and behavioral usage: In law, malice is a core element in offenses such as malicious deception, malicious prosecution, or malicious mischief, where the actor acts with improper motive. In cybersecurity and information security, “malicious” is used to describe software, code, actors, or activity designed to harm, steal, or disrupt systems—malicious software (malware), malicious code, and malicious actors.

Malicious in popular culture and media: The term has been used as a title or theme in various works, reflecting its association with harm or danger.

See also: malice