Adware is an unwanted program that shows ads to the user and collects marketing information about him. Ads can be displayed in the interface of free applications — as in Skype, as well as in the free software installation window. By analyzing the user’s search statistics, adware shows ads that are “interesting” to him.
Information security audit
The difference between adware and a Trojan is its comparative harmlessness. Adware collects information about user behavior on the network, but does not disrupt the performance of the PC and does not steal confidential information (for example, bank card data). The main damage is in annoying ads: pop—up ads, banners, windows opening.
The monetization of adware is similar to the monetization of regular banner ads, when the customer pays for impressions or clicks.
As a rule, an adware program is installed with the formal consent of the user – for example, in a package with a free application in the form of additional software. At the same time, the user does not pay attention to the corresponding “tick” and does not know that it can be removed. Or the creators of the software offer to use their product for free, but subject to the display of advertising.
Adware can be picked up on an infected site by clicking on an advertisement that starts a background installation. In such cases, adware is considered a spyware because it is installed without the user’s permission and does not have an uninstaller.
Contextual advertising Google can be considered a mild version of the virus: the tools to show it embedded in the browser and disable them only by using third-party software — ad blocker.