Open In App

Difference between Adware and Spyware

Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

1. Adware :
Adware is not exactly malicious but they do breach privacy of the users for malicious purpose. They display ads (a pop up window appear) on computer’s desktop or inside individual programs. They mainly come attached with free to use software, thus main source of revenue for such developers. They basically monitor your interests and display relevant ads. An attacker may embed malicious code inside the software and adware can monitor your system activities and can even compromise your machine.

2. Spyware :
Spyware is a type of malware that perform certain tasks include watching and tracking of user actions and collecting personal data. Spyware programs generally install themselves on user computer and provides profit to the third party by collecting data of user without his awareness. Moreover, spyware steal passwords and personal information of the users by running in background in the system.



Difference between Adware and Spyware :

S.No. ADWARE SPYWARE
1. Adware is similar to a spyware and it can be both intrusive and difficult to eradicate. Spyware is a form of malware designed to collect your personal information.
2. The main objective of adware is to monitor your interests and display relevant ads. The main objective of the spyware is to monitor the activity of the system.
3. Adware can be detected and removed by the antivirus program. Spyware can be detected and removed by the anti-spyware program.
4. It provides profit to the developer by generating online advertisement. It provides profit to the third party by collecting data of user without his awareness.
5. It is unknowingly attached with free to use software, distributed through pop-up windows. It is unknowingly install the product when they install some other software or freeware.
6. Adware is less harmful than spyware. Spyware is more harmful as compared.
7. Fireball, Appearch, Gator and dollarrevenue are some of the examples of adware. Bonzibuddy, Cydore and Downloadware are some examples of spyware.


Last Updated : 22 Sep, 2020
Like Article
Save Article
Previous
Next
Share your thoughts in the comments
Similar Reads