Types of Adware

Adware comes in various forms, each with its own method of displaying ads or collecting data.

1. Pop-Up Adware

This is one of the most noticeable types of adware. It creates pop-up advertisements that suddenly appear while browsing the internet. These ads can be intrusive, blocking the content you are trying to view or popping up in new tabs or windows, disrupting your online activities.

2. Browser Hijacker Adware

This type of adware takes control of your web browser settings. It can change your homepage, modify your search engine, or add toolbars without your consent. The aim is often to redirect your web searches to advertising or malicious websites to generate revenue.

3. Legitimate Adware

Not all adware is tricky or dishonest. Some programs are clear about showing ads because that’s how they can offer you their service or app for free. Since these programs tell you about the ads upfront, it’s considered a fairer type of adware. This means you can decide if you want to keep using the app with the ads.

4. Spyware Adware

This variant not only displays ads but also tracks and collects user data, such as browsing habits, for targeted advertising or selling information to third parties.

5. Trojan Adware

Trojan adware pretends to be safe and useful software to trick people into downloading it. After it’s installed, it shows ads and can also do bad things to your computer, like trojan malware does. It’s very risky because it can cause more problems, like letting other viruses in or stealing your private information

6. Ad-Injecting Software

Injects ads into web pages in a way that they appear as part of the site itself, often misleading users about their origin.

7. Mobile Adware

Specifically designed for mobile devices, this type displays ads on smartphones or tablets, sometimes even when the app itself is not actively used.

Each type of adware has its own characteristics and methods of operation, but all share the common goal of generating revenue through the display of ads, often at the expense of user experience and privacy.

Adware: Adware is software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material (pop up advertisements), often unwanted, when a user is online. It’s typically used by companies to generate revenue by showing ads to the user, often within a web browser or during the installation process of free software.