_____________ are unwanted software intended to pitch advertisements upon the user’s screen, most often within a web browser.

Adware is a type of software that displays advertisements on a computer or mobile device. It can be malicious and harmful to a device by slowing it down, hijacking the browser, and installing viruses and spyware. Adware can also track a user's online behavior and display personalized ads. Adware can be categorized as malicious or legitimate. Some sources consider adware to be an "irritant", while others classify it as an "online threat" or even as serious as computer viruses and trojans. Adware can generate revenue in two ways: Displaying advertising to a user A pay-per-click payment... Show more

Adware is a type of software that displays advertisements on a computer or mobile device. It can be malicious and harmful to a device by slowing it down, hijacking the browser, and installing viruses and spyware. Adware can also track a user's online behavior and display personalized ads.
Adware can be categorized as malicious or legitimate. Some sources consider adware to be an "irritant", while others classify it as an "online threat" or even as serious as computer viruses and trojans.

Adware can generate revenue in two ways:

1. Displaying advertising to a user
2. A pay-per-click payment made if a user clicks on the ad

Adware is often discreetly bundled with free programs that a user knowingly installs.

Some signs of an adware infection include:

1. An unexpected change in the web browser home page
2. Web pages not displaying correctly
3. Being overwhelmed with pop-up ads
4. Slow device performance
5. Device crashing
6. Reduced internet speeds
7. Redirected internet searches

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