Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used. Adware in this form does not operate surreptitiously or mislead the user, and provides the user with a specific service, but Adware and spyware are similar to viruses in that they can be malicious in nature.

Adware has been criticized because it usually includes code that tracks a user's personal information and passes it on to third parties, without the user's authorization or knowledge. Adware or advertising-supported software is any software application in which advertisements are displayed while the program is running.

The main reason why Adware is built into programs is because it helps recover programming development costs, and helps to hold down the price of the application for the user (sometimes even making it free of charge) and, of course, it can give programmers a profit, which helps to motivate them to write, maintain, and upgrade their software.

Adware companies make their money by distributing thousands upon thousands of ads on the internet. Adware is considered a legitimate alternative offered to consumers who do not wish to pay for software. It is now big business and there is a lot of money to be made.

Adware is also known as malware, sneakware, or spyware, adware is a type of software program that's installed without a users consent or knowledge while another program is being installed on the computer. Adware is related to spyware, in that they both invade your computer through software that usually is installed without the user's consent or knowledge.

Spyware

Spyware is considered a malicious program and is similar to a Trojan Horse in that users unwittingly install the product when they install something else. Spyware can even change computer settings, resulting in slow connection speeds, different home pages, and loss of Internet or other programs.

Spyware can exploit this design to circumvent attempts at removal. Spyware can also come bundled with shareware or other downloadable software, as well as music CDs. Normally it does not directly spread in the manner of a computer virus or worm: and generally, an infected system does not attempt to transmit the infection to other computers.

Spyware, which interferes with networking software commonly, causes difficulty connecting to the Internet. Spyware, along with other threats, has led some Windows users to move to other platforms such as Linux or Apple Macintosh, which are significantly less susceptible. Spyware programs which redirect network traffic cause greater technical-support problems than programs which merely display ads or monitor users' behavior, and so may more readily attract institutional attention.

Software

Software authors that use spyware do not care about anyone's privacy. Software designers get paid big bucks to design things that work effectively and safely. The software that is supported by advertising is often called "adware".

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