Which term refers to malicious software that causes problems by erasing hard drives?

The term that refers to malicious software capable of causing problems such as erasing hard drives is malware, which is a broad category encompassing any software designed to harm or exploit any programmable device, service, or network. This includes various types of malicious software, such as viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

While ransomware specifically encrypts files to extort money from users rather than erasing hard drives, other forms of malware can certainly lead to data loss or corruption. Viruses typically replicate themselves and can be harmful, but their primary function is not necessarily data deletion. Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software but can also lead to significant harm, including data loss.

Understanding the category of malware is key because it includes all forms of malicious software designed to perform harmful actions, including erasing data, which captures the essence of the question better than the other specific types mentioned.