What describes adware?

Adware is specifically defined as a type of software that automatically downloads and displays advertisements on a user's device, often without the user's consent. This software can track user behavior to display targeted ads, leading to an intrusive experience. Its primary purpose is to generate ad revenue for its developers, and it may also collect user data to tailor advertisements accordingly. While adware can sometimes be bundled with free applications, it typically operates in the background and may degrade system performance by consuming bandwidth and system resources, but its essential characteristic remains its focus on advertising. This aspect distinguishes it from other types of software and tools that aim to enhance security or performance.