Adware
Adware is a type of software that displays advertisements on a user’s computer. These advertisements can appear in various forms, such as pop-up windows, banners, or in-text ads. Adware is often bundled with other software and installed without the user’s consent.
While adware can be annoying, it is not necessarily harmful to a computer. However, it can slow down the system and consume resources, leading to poor performance.
One example of adware is the infamous Conduit toolbar, which was known for hijacking web browsers and displaying unwanted ads. Another example is Superfish, which came pre-installed on some Lenovo laptops and injected ads into web pages.
To protect against adware, users should be cautious when downloading software from the internet and always read the terms and conditions before installation. It is also recommended to use adware removal tools to scan and remove any unwanted programs.
Remember: Adware is not the same as malware, but it can still be a nuisance and compromise your privacy.
For more information, you can visit the Wikipedia page on Adware.