99Percent

The other day I was reading a computer magazine and I stumbled on the phrase "malicious code".

Malicious code is the intention to create destruction, or havoc in a system. For example bulletin board systems need to guard themselves from malicious code intentionally placed in messages. If the programmers don't check for some html code that could be submitted in a message, such code could completely redirect the page to another site, or screw up the whole board itself. Viruses are another example of malicious code.

I thought: why is it called "malicious"? Is this a subjective interpretation? I rather think not or else how come everyone understands immediately what "malicious" means here. But if it is objective how exactly do we know that it is indeed "malicious"?

The Other Michael

It is malicious in re the system it is attacking.

But then antibiotics are malicious to the biota they attack, even though they have good effects on the organism being treated.

It sounds like a point of view determination.

cheers,
Michael

Someone7

The word malice refers to a desire or an intent to cause harm, it says nothing about whether that desire or intent is 'right' or 'wrong'.