adware

(noun)

A software application that includes advertisements, which are displayed while the software is running. Developers use adware as a source of income and to keep the costs of the software down (usually making it free). Some adware programs can include spyware.

Related Terms

Examples of adware in the following topics:

  • Malware

    • Malware includes computer viruses, worms, spyware, adware, and trojan horses .

  • Consumer Privacy Issues

    • These applications are also referred to as spyware or adware, as they mask questionable activities by performing services such as displaying the weather or providing a search bar.