What is Adware?

Adware results in the continual showing of unwanted ads on your computer screen with you having little or no control over them. If you have downloaded freeware or shareware files then there is a good chance you have come in contact with this nuisance. If your computer screen is bombarded with Pop-Up or Pop-Under ads even when you are not connected to the Internet or your system is running slow after downloading files, your computer is infected with Adware.

How is it downloaded?

The software used to fill your screen with these ads is usually downloaded with other ‘safe’ software, sometimes without your knowledge or consent. A trick sometimes used by programmers is to write a clause in the End User Agreement, usually towards the end and stating that you agree to receive this form of advertising, but of course you read right to the end of the user agreements don’t you? Not likely, me neither! To avoid knowingly receiving Adware we need to change this habit and read all the fine print. A few minutes spent reading an agreement could save yourself hours of frustration and the costs associated with removing the Adware.

Does it pose a threat?

Adware by itself does not pose any security threat, however Adware is often accompanied by Spyware that can track your movements online and report back your personal details. This poses a serious security threat and needs to be dealt with before your sensitive information ends up in the wrong hands. The Adware itself may only be an annoyance but the problems with Spyware extend much further than that.

What can be done?

The easiest way of dealing with these problems is the use of anti-spyware/adware programs. Like anything else though there is good and bad amongst this group. Do a search for anti-spyware/adware programs and there is plenty of free downloads available. One thing to keep in mind when considering these free programs is that they will offer a free scan of your computer, but the software needed to remove the spyware/adware will cost you. What is the point in knowing that your computer is infected and not being able to remove the problem?

Reviews of the programs available are an excellent resource when searching for the right product for you. Learn from other people’s experiences and make an informed decision before spending your hard earned dollars by checking out our Anti-Spyware/Adware Program reviews.

By: Craig Wilson

About the Author:

No Adware Software Review

Almost fifty percents of computer crashes are caused by virus, trojan and spyware. Spyware is software used by hackers to gain information without your knowledge. This information can be used by hackers for many purposes. Last year, Microsoft announced that one in every 300 Windows PC was infected by malware and spyware. How do you get infected by spyware?

1. Security Settings

People got infected by spyware usually have low security settings and most of them only have an antivirus as their main protection. Having an antivirus is not enough and it takes more than antivirus to protect you from spyware.

2. Files Download

Downloading files from the Internet makes everything in our life easier. We don’t need to go to our local bookstore to find information that we need, we only need to find it on the Internet. However, downloading files and software has a bad effect. It’s because not all the freeware out there are spyware-free and some of them are actually spyware. Therefore, there might be some time when you’ve downloaded software or files that are spyware.

3. ActiveX

Running activex while browsing is the same as running .exe file extension in Windows and if we enable activex while browsing, it will make us vulnerable to spyware threat.

4. Malicious Websites

Malicious websites is one of the reasons why you get infected. Maybe while searching for information on the search engines, you stumbled upon a website and unknown to you, it’s a website that will install spyware in your system. Because the website is not what you’re looking for, you close it immediately. But by leaving the website does not make you’re safe from threats because the spyware is already installed in your system.

5. Pop-Ups

Pop-ups are so annoying and some pop-ups are threats to our computer. There might be a time when you were surfing the Internet when a pop-up came up and asked you to update your security settings and you unknowingly clicked it. By clicking the pop-up, the spyware will install itself in your system. One way to prevent this is by clicking ‘x’ on the pop-up. Clicking anywhere on the pop-up other than the ‘x’ might makes the spyware to install itself.

6. Legal Agreement

Did you know that spyware can install itself in your system legally? If you’re installing software, make sure you read its legal agreement. Maybe somewhere in the legal agreement, they said something about installing a software that will give them your browsing habit for their research purpose or something like that. This is another form of spyware attack. By clicking ‘I agree’, you’re bound to the agreement and the spyware can install itself legally. Therefore, next time when you’re installing suspicious software, make sure you read its legal agreement.

By: Azwan Asmat

About the Author:

Best Adware-Spyware Reviews