| Adware or advertising-supported software is any | | | | attract institutional attention. |
| software package which automatically plays, displays, | | | | Software |
| or downloads advertising material to a computer after | | | | Software authors that use spyware do not care |
| the software is installed on it or while the application is | | | | about anyone's privacy. Software designers get paid |
| being used. Adware in this form does not operate | | | | big bucks to design things that work effectively and |
| surreptitiously or mislead the user, and provides the | | | | safely. The software that is supported by advertising |
| user with a specific service, but Adware and spyware | | | | is often called "adware". |
| are similar to viruses in that they can be malicious in | | | | Software developers are now very sensitive to |
| nature. | | | | malware concerns and will provide a lengthy |
| Adware has been criticized because it usually includes | | | | explanation of just why the bundled software is |
| code that tracks a user's personal information and | | | | necessary, in the cases when they actually do need to |
| passes it on to third parties, without the user's | | | | use bundled software. |
| authorization or knowledge. Adware or | | | | Spyware is computer software that is installed |
| advertising-supported software is any software | | | | surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or |
| application in which advertisements are displayed while | | | | take partial control over the user's interaction with the |
| the program is running. | | | | computer, without the user's informed consent. Since |
| The main reason why Adware is built into programs is | | | | they tend not to install software if they know that it will |
| because it helps recover programming development | | | | disrupt their working environment and compromise their |
| costs, and helps to hold down the price of the | | | | privacy, spyware deceives users, either by |
| application for the user (sometimes even making it | | | | piggybacking on a piece of desirable software such as |
| free of charge) and, of course, it can give | | | | Kazaa, or by tricking them into installing it (the Trojan |
| programmers a profit, which helps to motivate them to | | | | horse method). |
| write, maintain, and upgrade their software. | | | | Some "rogue" anti-spyware programs masquerade as |
| Adware companies make their money by distributing | | | | security software, while being spyware themselves. |
| thousands upon thousands of ads on the internet. | | | | The distributor of spyware usually presents the |
| Adware is considered a legitimate alternative offered | | | | program as a useful utility?for instance as a "Web |
| to consumers who do not wish to pay for software. It | | | | accelerator" or as a helpful software agent. In some |
| is now big business and there is a lot of money to be | | | | cases, spyware authors have paid shareware authors |
| made. | | | | to bundle spyware with their software. Some spyware |
| Adware is also known as malware, sneakware, or | | | | authors infect a system through security holes in the |
| spyware, adware is a type of software program | | | | Web browser or in other software. The spyware |
| that's installed without a users consent or knowledge | | | | author would also have some extensive knowledge of |
| while another program is being installed on the | | | | commercially-available anti-virus and firewall software. |
| computer. Adware is related to spyware, in that they | | | | Windows |
| both invade your computer through software that | | | | Windows Defender is free and therefore should be a |
| usually is installed without the user's consent or | | | | part of your desktop anti-spyware collection. If you |
| knowledge. | | | | have an adware infected computer Windows may |
| Spyware | | | | take longer to load, hyperlinks may not work or they |
| Spyware is considered a malicious program and is | | | | may even take you to a new site. Many spyware |
| similar to a Trojan Horse in that users unwittingly install | | | | components would also make use of flaws in |
| the product when they install something else. Spyware | | | | Javascript, Internet Explorer and Windows to install |
| can even change computer settings, resulting in slow | | | | without the user's knowledge or permission. |
| connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of | | | | Malware |
| Internet or other programs. | | | | Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage |
| Spyware can exploit this design to circumvent | | | | a computer system without the owner's informed |
| attempts at removal. Spyware can also come bundled | | | | consent. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, |
| with shareware or other downloadable software, as | | | | trojan horses, so it's software that damages your |
| well as music CDs. Normally it does not directly spread | | | | system, causes instability, or exhibits antisocial behavior |
| in the manner of a computer virus or worm: and | | | | such as changing settings or interfering with a |
| generally, an infected system does not attempt to | | | | computer's registry and security settings. Malware |
| transmit the infection to other computers. | | | | writers began to design their programs so that they |
| Spyware, which interferes with networking software | | | | would reinstall automatically if removed, sometimes |
| commonly, causes difficulty connecting to the Internet. | | | | using different file names. |
| Spyware, along with other threats, has led some | | | | Conclusion |
| Windows users to move to other platforms such as | | | | If you want your computer to be a stable safe, clean |
| Linux or Apple Macintosh, which are significantly less | | | | environment then do a Google search for "adware" |
| susceptible. Spyware programs which redirect | | | | you will find a great free product called ad-aware, this |
| network traffic cause greater technical-support | | | | is one product that I have used for years to keep my |
| problems than programs which merely display ads or | | | | computer safe and it's a product I highly recommend. |
| monitor users' behavior, and so may more readily | | | | |