The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word VIRUS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
V
I
R
U
S
More clues leading to the result VIRUS
- This, initially very infectious, renders us sick?
- I engaged in virtual reality leading to American computer problem
- Very rapid activity mostly constraining one computer problem
- By way of abandoning a right, America creates Covid-19?
- It spreads through — right for one American
- A classical man to you and me represents something harmful
- Man in Latin America has computer problem
- Virtuous but losing out over poisonous influence
- Corrupting influence in Rugby Union, in Six Nations, ultimately
- Complaint against individual almost certain to be retracted
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The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does VIRUS mean?
VIRUS noun- A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure consisting of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that requires a living host cell to replicate, and often causes disease in the host organism.
- A disease caused by these organisms.
- Venom, as produced by a poisonous animal etc.
- A type of malware which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as disks, often causing damage to systems and data; also computer virus.
- Any type of malware.