Which statement best describes adware?

• A. It is the same as spyware.
• B. It is typically more benign than spyware and tends to display pop-up advertisements.
• C. It always travels with the user’s consent.
• D. It provides strong antivirus protection.

Answer: (B)

Adware is software that shows you advertisements, often by placing banners or pop-ups and sometimes by tracking your browsing to tailor those ads. Because its main purpose is advertising rather than secretly collecting sensitive information, it’s generally considered less harmful than spyware, which is designed specifically to steal or relay personal data. The statement captures the common behavior of adware—displaying ads—while recognizing that it isn’t a security tool. It’s not reliable to assume it always comes with the user’s consent, since some adware can install or display ads without explicit permission or through bundled software. And it certainly does not provide antivirus protection.