(1) (AD supported softWARE) Free software supported by advertising messages. See adserver.

(2) (ADvertisementWARE) Software that periodically pops up advertisements on a user's computer. Adware displays ads targeted to the individual user based on key words entered in search engines and the types of Web sites the user visits. Also called "pitchware," the marketing data are collected periodically and sent in the background to the adware Web server.

Adware or Spyware?

If adware is installed in the user's machine without disclosure, it is considered "spyware." Such programs are often delivered as part of another download the user actually did want but without any notification. Even if there was mention in the license agreement, there is controversy over what is legitimate adware versus spyware, because it is a known fact hardly anyone reads the software license agreement. See contextual marketing, popup ad, PUP, spyware, parasite and wares.

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