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Adware, or advertising-supported software, is a program that displays unwanted and often intrusive advertisements on a computer or mobile device. Adware generates revenue for its developers and is often installed secretly alongside free software, or through vulnerabilities in your operating system.

How adware works

Installation: Adware often comes bundled with free software or shareware. It is installed on your device without your explicit consent and sometimes without your knowledge, often by hiding its presence in the user agreement's fine print.

Displaying ads: Once installed, adware runs quietly in the background and generates pop-ups, banners, or other types of ads, often within your web browser. The more you interact with these ads, the more money the developer earns through pay-per-click, pay-per-view, and pay-per-install revenue models.

Information gathering: Adware may also collect data on your browsing habits and online activity to deliver more personalized, targeted ads. This information can be sold to third parties, raising privacy concerns.

There are various types of adware, ranging from legitimate to highly malicious:

Legitimate adware: Some developers use legitimate adware to monetize their products, allowing them to offer the software for free. In these cases, users knowingly consent to viewing ads in exchange for the free product.

Potentially unwanted programs (PUAs): Most adware falls into this category. These programs are often installed without the user's explicit consent, using deceptive methods to get past security measures.

Malicious adware: This type of adware is designed to deliver other, more dangerous malware, such as spyware or ransomware. It may use abusive methods like browser hijacking to bombard users with ads and direct them to malicious websites.