Definition of adware

adware

noun - uncountable

legitimate software that is free to use, but displays advertising.
- See more words with the same meaning: computer slang.
Last edited on Nov 12 2011. Submitted by WalterGR (via TheJargonFile) on Aug 14 2009.
bad software ("malware") that exists only to display unwanted advertisements.
His computer was full of adware. I had to reinstall his OS from scratch.

Last edited on Dec 07 2011. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA on Apr 26 2011.

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Related words

Slang terms with the same meaning

Other terms relating to 'computer slang':
AFAICS	Definitions include: acronym for "as far as I can see".
page in	Definitions include: A synonym of "swap in".
GTG	Definitions include: acronym for "got to go".
pwn	Definitions include: Alternate spelling of own.
guiltware	Definitions include: shareware that uses guilt to encourage users to pay the "registration" cost.
Googlebomb	Definitions include: on the web, for many sites to link to a particular website using a particular phrase, such that the particular website is the first result when searching for the phrase.
gender mender	Definitions include: a cable connector device with either two male or two female connectors on it, used to connect mismatched cables.
imaginary Internet point	Definitions include: one unit of approval of something posted to the web.
charityware	Definitions include: a form of shareware where, in lieu of the "registration" fee, the author asks that users donate to a charity.
F2F	Definitions include: acronym for "face to face".
quote chapter and verse	Definitions include: to cite a relevant excerpt from some text.
script kiddie	Definitions include: person who engages in computer security breaching through use of widely available prepackaged exploiting utilities, for recreational purposes and without significant low-level knowledge of computer security.
swap space	Definitions include: temporary storage space used then moving or reconfiguring a room.
zombie	Definitions include: a computer whose security has been compromised, and is then used to perform computer misdeeds, such as sending spam or performing denial-of-service attacks.
ASL	Definitions include: online chatting acronym for "age, sex, location?"
(show 566 more)

Slang terms with the same root words

Other terms relating to 'software':
abandonware	Definitions include: software still under copyright, but which is no longer distributed, sold, or supported.
annoyware	Definitions include: a type of shareware that interrupts use of the software to display a message asking the user to "register" the software (i.e. pay for it.)
bloatware	Definitions include: computer software that occupies too many resources due to its preponderance of features.
careware	Definitions include: a form of shareware where, in lieu of the "registration" fee, the author asks that users donate to a charity.
charityware	Definitions include: a form of shareware where, in lieu of the "registration" fee, the author asks that users donate to a charity.
crippleware	Definitions include: software that has had features disabled to entice people to upgrade to a for-pay or more expensive version.
freeware	Definitions include: "Freeware" was originally the trademark of "PC-Talk" author Andrew Fluegelman.
guiltware	Definitions include: shareware that uses guilt to encourage users to pay the "registration" cost.
malware	Definitions include: software that does bad things.
nagware	Definitions include: shareware software that nags the user if it hasn't yet been purchased.
postcardware	Definitions include: a type of shareware that only requires users to send a postcard to the author in order to purchase it.
shareware	Definitions include: software that is free to share with others and is - at least initially - free to use.
shelfware	Definitions include: software that was purchased or written, but never used.
shovelware	Definitions include: low-quality software.
shrink-wrapped software	Definitions include: software delivered in physical form.
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