Slimeware

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What Does Slimeware Mean?

Slimeware is slang term used to describe harmful adware that threatens computer security under the guise of software updates. Slimeware often automatically downloads more adware without user intervention or knowledge. This slows down the PC as resources are used by the slimeware and also exposes the user to security threats.

This term was coined by Google.

Techopedia Explains Slimeware

Online advertisers that use slimeware are often considered anti-spyware circumvention experts. To prevent and combat slimeware, common sense applies — experts recommend downloading and using anti-spyware applications along with standard anti-virus software.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret 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 IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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