Adware refers to any type of application or software that can hijack your browser to show you intrusive ads. Ads are a means to make money, and adware designers get revenue from every displayed ad.
While adware does not pose as much danger as malware, it can still be a security threat because Adware can affect computers as well as mobile devices.
Ways you might get adware
- Unwitting downloads: Adware can come disguised as regular file content. If you download files from an unofficial website, you run the risk of it coming with adware — it can also install itself automatically and covertly.
- Visits to unfamiliar websites: Certain websites are riddled with adware codes, which make it super easy for just any action within the website to start a download process without the user’s knowledge or consent.
- Weak spots in your system: Hackers can exploit any weakness in your system to install adware.
How does adware generate money?
- Pay-per-click (PPC): Everytime you open an ad.
- Pay-per-view (PPV): Everytime you see an ad.
- Pay-per-install (PPI): Everytime you install software with adware built-in on your system.
