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Dictionary

adware

(1) (AD supported softWARE) Free software supported by advertising messages. See adserver. (2) (ADvertisementWARE) Software that periodically pops up advertisements on a user's computer....

Dictionary

Definition: adware

(1) (AD supported softWARE) Free software supported by advertising messages. See adserver.

(2) (ADvertisementWARE) Software that periodically pops up advertisements on a user's computer. Adware displays ads targeted to the individual user based on key words entered in search engines and the types of Web sites the user visits. Also called "pitchware," the marketing data are collected periodically and sent in the background to the adware Web server.

Adware or Spyware?
If adware is installed in the user's machine without disclosure, it is considered "spyware." Such programs are often delivered as part of another download the user actually did want but without any notification. Even if there was mention in the license agreement, there is controversy over what is legitimate adware versus spyware, because it is a known fact hardly anyone reads the software license agreement. See contextual marketing, popup ad, PUP, spyware, parasite and wares.



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  • Facebook teaches users how to remove adware (video)

    Facebook has released a video warning its users about adware. The social networking giant explains how to get rid of the malware from your computer and how to cleanup your Facebook account.

    Blog posts | March 26, 2012 12:56pm PDT

  • Companies bundling spyware, adware with open-source media player

    VideoLAN named-and-shamed at least 25 companies that are guilty of bundling spyware and adware programs with the highly rated open-source VLC media player.

    Blog posts | July 14, 2011 11:15am PDT

  • Q: 'Why did you write adware?' A: 'I was broke'

    In one of today's most fascinating reads, philosecurity interviews Matt Knox, a talented Ruby instructor and coder who once wrote and designed adware for Direct Revenue, a company sued by then-New...

    Blog posts | January 14, 2009 8:20am PST

  • CNET Download.com not so 'spyware-free'

    On its home page, CNET's Download.com promises that all software available on the site "has been tested to ensure it's 100% free of spyware, viruses, and other malware."     Unfortunately, there...

    Blog posts | November 10, 2008 8:30am PST

  • Debunking yet another bogus malware study

    Here we go again, with yet another round of bogus reporting about the extent of malware infections in the United States. A wide range of news agencies are reporting the results of a new report...

    Blog posts | June 2, 2008 2:05pm PDT

  • Is Snopes pushing Adware? Urban legend or fact?

    Claim: The popular urban legend debunking site Snopes is pushing Adware on to its readers. Status: True (No longer true since their shaming from Alex Eckelberry and this blog on 1/28/2008)....

    Blog posts | January 28, 2008 12:55pm PST

  • Adware, shady marketing pays: Penthouse buys AdultFriendFinder and sister sites

    Penthouse Media Group has acquired Various Inc., a company that operates a stable of adult-oriented social networking sites such as AdultFriendFinder, Gradfinder and others. The New York Times...

    Blog posts | December 12, 2007 9:38am PST

  • Photos: Coming to grips with adware

    Backers gather to launch the Trusted Download Program, which aims to help people deal with adware and spyware.

  • Photos: Coming to grips with adware

    Backers gather to launch the Trusted Download Program, which aims to help people deal with adware and spyware.

  • There Is No Baby In The Bath Water

    I attended a Spyware Workshop yesterday in Manhatten. It was held in a small amphitheater in the Museum of Television and Radio. It was hosted by the Network Advertising Initiative and one of...

    Blog posts | May 13, 2005 11:32am PDT

  • Black and White and Gray All Over

    I have been thinking about morality lately. The morality of direct marketing. I have been asking: “what is acceptable practice when selling a product or service?�? I don’t have all the...

    Blog posts | February 11, 2005 3:42pm PST

  • Adware under the microscope

    Balancing privacy concerns against valuable customer information, big-name companies are struggling with the concept of "adware"--programs that serve ads based on consumers' Web browsing habits.

    News items | June 27, 2002 12:00am PDT

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