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':
gender bender	Definitions include: a male who acts like a female or vice versa.
TBH	Definitions include: "to be honest".
give af	Definitions include: "give a fuck".
smoke test	Definitions include: a test of a new, repaired, or modified piece of electronic equipment whereby power is turned on, and people nearby look for smoke.
Big Room, the	Definitions include: outdoors.
rickroll	Definitions include: alternate spelling of Rick roll.
ad-hockery	Definitions include: one-off solutions that deal with some special case, rather than a more all-encompassing solution.
eye candy	Definitions include: an attractive person.
tech	Definitions include: "technology".
grep	Definitions include: in a non-computing context, to search.
ETA	Definitions include: acronym for "Estimated Time of Arrival."
RTFM	Definitions include: acronym for "Read the fucking manual."
topless	Definitions include: without any clothing covering the torso.
YHBT	Definitions include: acronym for "you have been trolled", i.e. you have fallen victim to an internet troll.
kthnxbai	Definitions include: "okay, thanks, bye."
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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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