What is the term for 'malicious software' used to disrupt services or steal data?

The term for 'malicious software' that is designed specifically to disrupt services or steal data is indeed malware. It is a broad category that encompasses various forms of harmful software, including viruses, worms, and Trojans. The overarching purpose of malware is to compromise the integrity, availability, or confidentiality of information systems.

While other terms like spyware, adware, and scareware refer to specific types of malicious software, they do not encompass all forms of malware. Spyware, for instance, specifically focuses on gathering information about a user without their consent. Adware is primarily aimed at displaying advertisements and may not necessarily disrupt services or steal data outright. Scareware is designed to trick users into believing their computer is infected so they will pay for a fictitious solution.

In contrast, the term malware captures the full spectrum of harmful software, making it the correct choice for defining malicious software used for disruption or data theft.