Which term describes malicious software designed to gather email addresses?

The term that specifically describes malicious software designed to gather email addresses is spyware. Spyware is a type of malware that is intended to collect information from a user's device without their knowledge or consent. It often monitors user behavior and can capture sensitive information such as email addresses, browsing habits, and passwords. This form of software is designed to stealthily send this collected data back to the attacker.

Destructive agents generally refer to malware that causes damage to files or systems rather than actively seeking to collect user data. Adware, on the other hand, is mainly designed to serve advertisements and may collect some data to customize ads, but its primary purpose is not to gather email addresses or sensitive information in the same way that spyware does. Malware is a broad category that encompasses various types of malicious software, including viruses, worms, and Trojan horses, but it does not specifically denote software focused on gathering email addresses like spyware does.