What kind of software is categorized as malicious code?

Malware is a specific category of software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks. The term 'malicious code' encompasses various types of malware including viruses, worms, trojan horses, ransomware, and more. These programs are intentionally written to carry out harmful actions, such as stealing personal information, corrupting data, or taking control of systems without the user's consent.

In contrast, consulting software is intended for professional services and contains no malicious intent, while productivity software is designed to help users perform tasks efficiently, such as word processing and spreadsheet management. Open-source software is characterized by its openly available source code, allowing users to modify and distribute it freely, and is not inherently malicious. Thus, the choice that accurately depicts software intended for harm is malware, making it the correct answer.