Glossary Entry: Adware

Quick Definition

Adware is a form of malicious software that is designed to display unwanted and unsolicited advertising in an intrusive manner.

Note that just because software features advertisements does not mean it's adware; the key difference between adware and ad-supported software is that the latter provide useful features and simply use displayed ads to provide their developers with income, while adware exists solely to bombard the user with unwanted advertisements and offers no benefit.


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