What is Adware?
Adware is advertising software that presents advertisements to the user, normally in the form of Pop-up ads. Adware is installed on a user's computer at some Web sites, "freeware" products, and sometimes, with legitimately purchased commercial software. Unlike random Pop-up ads, Adware monitors the user's surfing to deliver targeted advertising based on the user's current search and search history. Typically, Adware takes the form of Pop-up ads or banners that appear while the user is surfing, and displays context-related promotions. Not all Adware is malicious. For example, if a user were looking at real estate sites, promotions for low mortgages rates would get a better return than ads for sporting goods. Adware makers see this as a purchasing opportunity geared to the users' personal tastes. Most consumers who understand how Adware operates resent their surfing being monitored. How did Adware get on my computer?
Adware is often bundled with or embedded in "freeware"; software products that offer enhancements to available computer functionality at no charge. These can include some toolbars, sounds, cartoons, screensavers, games, graphics that attach to e-mails, programs that claim to improve computer performance and news/weather services. When users accept free software, agreeing to receive advertising is often the price they pay for these accessories. Often, when the Adware is removed, the accessory is removed too. File-sharing groups, such as peer-to-peers, make money by attaching Adware to their file-sharing programs and then selling participants' e-mail addresses to advertisers again and again. Many advertisers then monitor surfing habits and collectively bombard users' machines with a torrent of Pop-ups. Symptoms of Adware infection include Pop-ups, slowed computer performance and system crashes. How do I remove Adware from my computer?
If you have Adware on your computer, more than likely, it has thoroughly embedded itself in your system; making it very difficult to remove manually. Fortunately, there are plenty of Anti-Spyware Software applications ready to do the work for you. And, although we can not speak to the effectiveness of all of the software listed at InternetSecurityZone.com, we can, and most certainly do, recommend STOPzilla. Click here to download STOPzilla and remove Adware from your computer now. As the terms "Adware" and "Spyware" have become somewhat synonymous, our Anti-Spyware download list contains software that removes both Adware and Spyware. Click here to view our list of recommended Spyware Removal software. |