Adware
Adware refers to any software application designed to display advertising banners or pop-ups on a user’s screen during its operation. Often bundled with free software downloads, adware tracks internet browsing habits to display targeted ads, potentially slowing down computers and risking user privacy. While some adware is benign, offering the trade-off of ads for free software functionality, others can be intrusive, collecting data without consent or hindering user experience significantly. Identifying and managing adware requires reliable anti-malware tools and cautious online behavior, emphasizing the importance of downloading software from reputable sources.