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On the 20th Safer Internet Day, what was security like back in 2004?

Malwarebytes

The dedicated security firms were primarily big antivirus organisations, some of which were struggling to keep up with the threats now spilling across the Internet. You had very rich and powerful adware companies, making liberal use of bundled installers. As an added bonus, so were many representatives from the adware vendors.

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Types of Malware & Best Malware Protection Practices

eSecurity Planet

Jump ahead: Adware. Adware, also known as malvertising , is a type of malware that downloads or displays advertisements to the user interface. Rather than stealing data, adware is more of an irritant forcing users to see unwanted ads. Most users are familiar with adware in the form of unclosable browser pop-ups.

Malware 104
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GUEST ESSAY. Everyone should grasp these facts about cyber threats that plague digital commerce

The Last Watchdog

Malware can be categorized based on how it behaves (adware, spyware and ransomware), and how it propagates from one victim to another (viruses, worms and trojans). If you’re lucky, the only malware program you’ve come in contact with is adware, which attempts to expose the compromised end-user to unwanted, potentially malicious advertising.