adware

American  

[ad-wair] / ˈædˌwɛər /

noun

Digital Technology.

1. software that displays advertisements and is integrated into another program offered at no charge or at low cost.

2. a type of spyware that gathers information about an internet user's browsing habits and displays targeted or contextual advertisements.

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adware British  

/ ˈædˌwɛə /

noun

1. a type of computer software that collects information about a user's browsing patterns in order to display relevant advertisements in his or her Web browser

2. computer software that is given to a user with advertisements already embedded

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Etymology

Origin of adware

First recorded in 1980–85; ad(vertising-supported) + (soft)ware ( def. )

Example Sentences

In many cases, free PC-cleaning utilities come with adware, viruses or other bits of software that ultimately lag your PC.

From Fox News • Sep. 12, 2021

The Uber breach affected 25 million customers and drivers, the Lenovo Superfish adware infected roughly 750,000 computers, and the toy firm VTech exposed information about 4 million parents and 280,000 children.

From Slate • Jul. 23, 2019

They might require a download, which places adware or even malware on your computer.

From Encyclopedia.com • Dec. 3, 2018

On Friday, infosec celebrity Swift on Security pointed out a new piece of adware called the "eFast Browser."

From The Verge • Oct. 17, 2015

Many of the services were bloated with adware and spyware.

From The Public Domain Enclosing the Commons of the Mind by Boyle, James