What is the Difference Between Adware & Spyware?

Contrary to popular belief there actually is little difference between adware and spyware.

According to wikipedia.org, spyware is:

...computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.

In contrast adware, also called advertising-supported software, is described as:

...any software package which plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer automatically, either after the software is installed, or while it is being used.

The confusion arises in that many adware applications in fact include spyware within. It makes it far more difficult to discern whether the adware program you installed is doing more than just popping up advertisements.

Click the link to read more about the differences between spyware and adware.

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You can remove spyware and adware from your computer, and protect yourself from further infection. The Ultimate Guide to Defending Yourself from Deadly Spyware is a comprehensive manual that every computer owner should read.