| With all of the different media sources and opinions | | | | find anything regarding any additional software being |
| that are available at everyone's fingertips, it seems | | | | bundled with the download. |
| that the term "Adware" has been misconceived into | | | | 3. Adware Tracks Everything I do |
| something it is not. Some people may feel confident | | | | This is sort of true. Over time, adware has actually |
| that they know exactly what adware is while others | | | | been modified to become spyware, which is used to |
| may not even know how to pronounce the word. To | | | | track what users do on their computer. While it |
| help set the record straight, below are some of the | | | | seems like more adware is developing this |
| biggest misconceptions people have about adware. | | | | characteristic, it was initially developed do have |
| 1. Adware (also known as "ad ware") Causes Harm | | | | nothing to do with tracking. |
| To Your Computer. | | | | 4. Adware Is A Pain To Get Off of a Computer |
| On the contrary, adware was actually designed to | | | | Depending on the adware, this can be true as well. |
| benefit the users who install it. While some (well, | | | | Adware that naturally comes with free downloads is |
| probably most) people may think this is absolutely | | | | usually pretty easy to get rid of. All you need to do |
| absurd, adware was designed with two goals in mind: | | | | is uninstall the program you downloaded and it will |
| First, to cut down expenses from advertising groups | | | | usually get rid of the adware. Then again, if the |
| and second, to bring targeted ads that users would | | | | software was maliciously modified, then it will usually |
| find relevant. Initially, it was never supposed to harm | | | | be much for difficult to get rid of. In this case, you |
| or infect your computer in any manner. | | | | will need to use security software used to eliminate it |
| 2. Adware Installs Itself Automatically | | | | and other malicious software from your computer. |
| This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions. | | | | 5. Adware Is Going To Be Discontinued In The Future |
| Whether you want to believe it or not, you usually | | | | While many would probably like to think this, it is a |
| give adware permission to install itself on your | | | | pretty unlikely. Even if you don't click on the pop ups |
| computer. This is because adware is usually attached | | | | or advertisements supplied by adware, many others |
| to programs that are freely available to download | | | | do, making it a very successful tactic to deliver |
| and use from the Internet. In fact, adware is usually | | | | advertisements. If anything, this form of software |
| responsible for making these downloads free for you. | | | | will probably be more abundant in the future, for it |
| Next time you download something, make sure to | | | | will help fund many of the free software that is |
| read the entire use agreement and see if you can | | | | available for downloading. |