English

edit

Pronunciation

edit

Etymology 1

edit

From crypto- (prefix meaning ‘hidden; invisible’) +‎ virus.

Noun

edit

cryptovirus (plural cryptoviruses)

  1. (biology) A kind of plant virus associated with latent infection of the host, and not transmissible by many means.
Hypernyms
edit
Translations
edit

Etymology 2

edit

From crypto- (prefix meaning ‘cryptographic’) +‎ virus.

Noun

edit

cryptovirus (plural cryptoviruses)

  1. (computer security) A type of malware that is used for extortion by encrypting user files and asking for payment in exchange for the decryption key.
    Synonym: cryptoransomware
Hypernyms
edit
edit
Translations
edit
See also
edit

Further reading

edit