What are Malware, Adware and Spyware?

These are most commonly heard terms in the network security but few know what exactly are they. All three appear to be quite same but there is a difference between them.

Malware ( Malicious Computer Code ): The term "malware" encompasses Trojans, adware, spyware, keyloggers, hijackers, dialers as well as viruses and worms.

Adware ( advertising-supported software ): A software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used. Some types of adware are also spyware and can be classified as privacy-invasive software.

Spyware: A software that performs certain behaviors such as advertising, collecting personal information, or changing the configuration of your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent first .
Spyware is often associated with software that displays advertisements (called adware) or software that tracks personal or sensitive information.

So now you know :)