Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements on your computer or mobile device. It is often designed to generate revenue for its developers by automatically generating adverts on your screen, usually within a web browser. Adware can be installed on your device without your knowledge when you download software/programs from the internet, usually freeware or shareware. Some forms of adware can be highly manipulative and create an open door for malicious programs. Adware can be considered a type of malware or unwanted software that can cause excessive pop-ups, ads, and banner offers in your browser or on your computer or mobile device. Adware can also track your online behavior and display personalized ads. While some adware is legitimate and deployed to help software developers recover development costs or reduce the cost of software for users, it can also pose significant security risks.