Annoyware

What Does Annoyware Mean?

Annoyware is a type of pop-up that prompts the user to perform an action such as registering to a certain website or purchasing a computer application. Other actions may be prompted as well. Users will often find annoyware operating in conjunction with shareware programs for downloadable trials. Electronic advertisers use annoyware heavily to entice customers, but malicious annoyware can also launch computer viruses if unsuspecting users perform the requested action.

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Annoyware is also known as nagware or floating ads.

Techopedia Explains Annoyware

The term annoyware is true to its name: it is annoying adware that users do not seek out. However, for electronic advertisers, if their annoyware receives even as little as a 1 percent rate of return, this can still be worthwhile marketing because advertising via annoyware is so inexpensive.

Those who do not appreciate annoyware can install anti-annoyware programs. By doing so, users are not only protected against annoyware, but also against harmful Trojans and viruses that can be attached to annoyware downloads. However, another way to prevent annoyware may be to educate Internet users. Naive users are most likely to encounter damaging effects from annoyware and advertisers know this.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…