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How Do Spyware and Adware Differ?

Home » Internet Security » Spyware and Adware Overview » How Do Spyware and Adware Differ?

Spyware and adware differ in their usage. Spyware covertly gathers user data and sends it to a third party; adware gives the user unwanted data (advertisements) and seeks to entice the user to buy from a third party.

Spyware is often malware (software that harms your computer) and can even be used by hackers to remote control your computer; adware is not necessarily malware and often is not—the advertisers know that you are not likely to buy a product if the adware advertising the product harms your computer.

Companies are legally permitted to use adware with the user's consent, but a company that uses spyware will find itself under pressure to remove it.



Next Page: Do I Have Spyware On My Computer?

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