Adware is usually a software package that is included with other programs or applications. The use of adware is advantageous for the developer of a software package as the companies whose adware is being used will pay that developer for including them. For this reason, the developer of the program will often be able to provide it for free rather than charging the end user for the time that they have put into the program. The adware and income that is generated for the developer from it is also often an incentive to continue writing additional code, or upgrades for the software application. Many programs that come with adware installed will have the option for the end user to register or license their copy by paying a fee. Once this has completed, the adware portion of the program is usually turned off so that the paying users are no longer burdend by the presence of advertisements while using the program.

There are many concerns that have arised with the advent of adware. Most of these are security related. For example, many adware packages are actually a form of spyware. The reason this is a concern for the end user is because spyware will track the users activity and report it back to the adware developer who will often sell this information without the end user’s consent. Another type of adware that is often annoying is malware. This software will often interfere with the function of programs on the user’s computer by redirecting them to a web site that they did not want to visit in the first place. This can become extremely annoying for any computer user. The terms adware, spyware and malware are often confused because of their overlapping characteristics.

Spyware has become a large concern for computer security and privacy avocates because these programs will send the internet user’s browsing activity to an advertisement company who will then send targeted advertisements to that user. Kazaa is a popular program that uses this technique.

Other adware programs do not track a user’s activity in this way unless the user of the computer has approved it first. However, many developers will include this information in the Terms of Use or End Users License Agreement, so be very careful to fully read these before selecting I Agree.

There are several programs that have become available to end users to help protect from adware and spyware. Some of which are available for free. One of the most popular, with nearly one million downloads each week is Ad-Aware which is provided by Lavasoft. The personal edition for a home user is provided free of charge, but comercial versions do come with some cost associated.