Originally posted here by Relyt
IMHO it's all about money:

Adware, Spam = making a dollar = people spending money and motivating the economy = votes.

Virus, trojan, etc. = taking the dollar = people spending money only on AV, etc = pissing off voters.
RELYT: You NAILED IT! All about the $$$money$$$. The only reason why adware and SPAM exists is because DUMB people click the ads and/or purchase the CRAP they sell! If they stop...the SPAM and adware will stop...or at least slowdown.

Education IMO will make a big impact but you still need controls of course.