| The purpose of this article is stated right in the title: to | | | | 3. True Adware does not infect your computer like |
| easily educate others on what adware really is in five | | | | one would expect |
| steps. As the Internet has evolved into what it is today, | | | | This is one of the biggest misconceptions with adware. |
| many people think adware as something it is not. For | | | | True adware was never intended to harm or infect |
| the most part, the media is to blame for that. Whether | | | | anyone's computer. If that was the purpose for |
| it is because the media does not truly understand | | | | designing adware, how would advertisers ever be able |
| adware or if they just thought the term would attract | | | | to attract new customers? Standard marketing and |
| an audience, adware has entered the mindsets of | | | | advertising practices state you shouldn't annoy or |
| many with false misconceptions. So, to keep it short | | | | irritate possible new customers. |
| and sweet, just remember these five things about | | | | When adware started to infect people's computers, it |
| adware. | | | | was no longer adware. At this point, it became either |
| 1. Adware was Initially Developed by Advertisers and | | | | spyware, malware, or a combination of both. Then |
| Advertising Groups | | | | again, as more advertisers use adware as an |
| Advertisers, just like all of the other companies and | | | | advertising medium, we are seeing more malicious |
| industries of the world, were simply experimenting with | | | | modifications so pop-ups and the software itself are |
| a new advertising medium. By allowing new customers | | | | difficult to get rid of. Unfortunately, this happens way |
| to install a program onto their computer, advertisers | | | | more than it should. Oh what people will do to get an |
| could send targeted advertisements to attract new | | | | upper hand... |
| audiences. Who would have known the simple idea of | | | | 4. Spyware and Malware can be considered the |
| adware would become such a great hit. | | | | malicious counterparts of adware |
| 2. Adware is one of the main reasons why a lot of | | | | It all started with adware. But, after hackers and |
| software is free | | | | malicious software developers discovered the potential |
| Yeah, it's true. From media players, to photo-sharing | | | | of it, they started to make variants of their own. |
| platforms, to file-trading software, a majority of them | | | | 5. Adware is a growing phenomenon and will continue |
| are made freely available to you because of adware. | | | | to evolve and fuel the Internet |
| In return for providing free downloads, advertisers | | | | Because advertisers are willing to fund software |
| require the software developers to bundle their | | | | developers and projects will minimal budgets, there is |
| adware software in each download. This leads to a | | | | no doubt adware will become more prominent on the |
| win-win-win scenario: the software developers get the | | | | Internet. Granted, it is safe to say that adware has |
| appropriate funding they need for their software, the | | | | irritated most people, but then again, that is where your |
| users are able to download the software for free, and | | | | favorite computer security software and adware |
| advertisers are able to spread their advertising to new | | | | removal tools come into play. |
| platforms and people via pop up technology. | | | | |