adware

ad·ware

A5112000 (ăd′wâr′)n. Software downloaded from the internet that displays advertisements on personal computers, often without the user's permission.

adware

(ˈædˌwɛə) n1. (Computer Science) a type of computer software that collects information about a user's browsing patterns in order to display relevant advertisements in his or her Web browser2. (Computer Science) computer software that is given to a user with advertisements already embedded

Translations

publiciel

adware

(1) (AD supported softWARE) Free software supported by advertising messages. The ads may be targeted to the individual based on key words entered into search engines and the types of websites the user visits. See freemium and adserver.

(2) (ADvertisementWARE) Also called "pitchware," adware is software that periodically collects the user's browsing behavior in order to pop up targeted ads on the computer. Adware often accompanies a program the user purposely downloads, and although it may be clearly indicated during the install procedure, novices generally keep clicking Next without reading the dialogs. If the adware is installed without disclosure, it is considered "spyware." If the disclosure is in the end user license agreement (EULA), it is still spyware because people click "I agree" without reading it. See contextual marketing, popup ad, PUP, spyware, parasite and wares.

Don't Just Click Next

This installation includes a security program if the box is left checked (arrow). McAfee scan happens to be a legitimate utility; however, installation dialogs may slip in malware if the user clicks Next without reading.