Adware, also known as advertising-support software, is any software package which automatically plays, displays or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is installed or while the application is being used. They are considered as a great alternative for users who do not wish to pay for softwares they use. Softwares include programs, games and utilities that are designed and distributed for free. Some adwares, also called freewares, block features and function of softwares until you pay or register for it. But generally, most softwares of this kind are free to use but will show up sponsored advertisements while being used. These ads usually run on small sections of the software interface or as pop-ups on the desktop.

In many cases, adwares are legitimate sources of revenue for companies who offer their softwares for free. For one, they can have advertisers use their softwares for marketing purposes, at the same time them using these freewares to promote their brand name or company, as well as their other softwares.

Adwares, or at least some of them, can also be spywares. Spywares are malicious wares, or malwares, that are installed on computers that collect information about users without their knowledge. Because of this, they are classified them as privacy-invasive softwares. These applications contain tracking softwares that track a user’s surfing habit to serve ads related to him. These malwares differ from the usual adwares because the former uses the information they gather to create targeted advertisements while the latter have a definite set of ads running. This, in a way, makes them intrusive and should be avoided because of privacy and security reasons.

Some of the most popular adwares are as follow:

  • RealPlayer. A closed source cross-platform media player by developed by RealNetworks. It can play a number of multimedia formats including MP3, MPEG-4, QuickTime, Windows Media, and multiple versions of proprietary RealAudio and RealVideo formats. Past versions of RealPlayer have been criticized for containing features similar to adware and spyware. In 2006, PC World Magazine named the 1999 version of RealPlayer as the second worst products of all time, saying that RealPlayer "had a disturbing way of making itself a little too much at home on your PC – installing itself as the default media player, taking liberties with your Windows Registry, popping up annoying ‘messages’ that were really just advertisements, and so on." Then in 2007, the magazine placed the 1996-2005 versions of the softwares at number five of its list of the 20 most annoying tech products.

  • LimeWire. A free peer-to-peer, P2P, file sharing client for the Java platform that uses the Gnutella network to locate files as well as share files. The application also has a limited BitTorrent support. The software is developed by Lime Wire LLC, which is a subsidiary of Lime Group. Before April 2004, the free version of of the program was distributed with a bundled program called LimeShop, which by definition is considered a spyware. One security risks of LimeShop is that it monitors online purchases of users in order to redirect sales commissions to Lime Wire LLC. Another annoying thing about the softwares is that uninstalling LimeWire from your system would not remove LimeShop. So in April 20, 2004, all bundled software in LimeWire were removed, which addressed the complaints of users. LimeWire currently has a facility that allows its server to contact a running LimeWire client and gather various information.

  • FlashGet. A freeware download manager for Microsoft Windows, also known as JetCar. It was originally available in either paid or advert-supported versions, the latter of which included an Internet Explorer Browser Helper Object (BHO). Some time ago, FlashGet contained adware and was recognized by several adware cleaners, such as Xblock. But today, many security software does not list this application as a threat and its license states it is a freeware and is adware-free. One of the concerns, however about FlashGet is that it downloads every file indicated by its FGUpdate3.ini file that is downloaded from the developer every time FlashGet is started. A malicious FGUpdate3.ini modified by a cracker directly in the developer’s server could cause FlashGet to download malware to the computer without alerting the user.

Because of its nature to be able to scan and collect important data and information, adwares especially spywares have become one of the biggest threat for computer users. At times these programs may invade your privacy, contain malicious code, and at the very least they can be a nuisance when using a computer connected to the Internet. That is why here are some tips on how to prevent having adwares on your system. And if in case you already does, here are also some ways on how to remove them.

How to prevent adwares

  1. Ensure your operating system is fully patched against any known security vulnerabilities. Companies like Windows and Apple offer free downloads of patch and other updates for their licensed OS in their websites. Open source OS like Linux also have regular updates against security threat readily available.

  1. Be alert, informed, and aware. Social engineering attacks are designed to trick you into installing harmful software. Keep abreast of the top Internet scams, don’t fall for hoaxes and beware of rogue scanners that only pretend to secure your system. Knowing is still the best prevention of being a victim.

  1. Disable the Windows Messenger Service. The Windows Messenger Service can be exploited and used to dish up unwelcome advertising on unsuspecting users. The service is also victim to a critical exploit that could allow malicious attackers to remotely run code on vulnerable systems. Disabling the service will prevent both the pop-ups and the exploit.

  1. Before you buying and downloading any new software, take a few moments to research about it. And before installation, make sure to read and understand the End-User Licensing Agreement. Most of the time, victims of adware and spyware click "yes" to disagreeable actions that is why it is important to take the time to read any prompts that occur.

  1. Perform regular scans. There are many available security software available on the market today. Some of them are even free and can be easily downloaded and installed. A suggestion is the free version of the AVG Anti-virus suite. Make sure that you are running security applications at all times and are regularly updated. Also, use them to conduct regular system scan, maybe every other day or at least once a week. This will help you find unwanted files and applications attached and running on your system. There are also anti-adware and anti-spyware available online that you can use along side your anti-virus software. One example is the Spybot Search & Destroy.

  1. There are many online articles that discuss some of the tactics employed by previous purveyors of adware and spyware. Familiarize yourself with these tactics and apply that knowledge to ferret out other potentially unscrupulous vendors before letting them attach themselves to your system.

How to remove adwares

  1. Disconnect from the Internet. First thing to do when trying to get rid of nasty adwares and spywares from your system is to disconnect your computer from the Internet. One way of doing so is by removing the phone line or cable connecting your machine to the modem or router. In doing so however, you should make sure that all web browsers, windows and applications, including your email client, should be closed and all your work are properly saved.

  1. Manual adware removal through uninstall. A surprising number of applications labeled as adware and spyware have fully functioning uninstallers that will cleanly remove the program. That is why one of the first thing to try is to look for them on your programs list and try a traditional uninstall. For Windows users, it can be found on the Control Panel, under Add/Remove Programs. Just select the applications you think are adwares and remove them from your system. After doing this, make sure to perform a system reboot, even if you not prompted to do so.

  1. Removal using adware removal software. Though there are times that you can easily locate the adwares attached on your system through your programs list, most of them are actually hidden and cannot be seen from just manually searching for them. That is why it is very important to have the latest version a reliable adware removal software. After downloading and installing the application to your system, conduct a scan using it to find where the other adwares are located. Then you can just safely remove everything the software find using the built-in cleaning application. When all adwares are removed, that is the time when you can start undoing any damages or changes it may have caused.

  1. Get clear access to the problem. There are times when adwares and spywares are very tricky. So if those nasty malwares persist despite the above efforts, you’ll need to get access to the drive without allowing the adware or spyware to load. The most effective means to get clean access to the drive is to use a software that can help you do so. This software allows you to boot your system minus those pesky adwares. Once booted, you can access the file manager, locate the installed antivirus and rescan the system. There are also times that you can just locate the offending files and folders manually and delete them.

  1. Undo the residual damage. After removing the active infestation, you’ll need to make sure the adware or spyware won’t simply reintegrate itself when the computer is reconnecting to the Internet. Before reconnecting, reset your browser start and home pages. Ensure your hosts file hasn’t been hijacked. Make sure undesirable websites haven’t been added to your Trusted Sites Zone.

With the advancement in technology, especially on IT, it is important to many people that they stay connected. But because of this advancement, many people that are capable of doing harm and damages also are advancing their knowledge and skills in doing bad. That is why it is important to keep yourself always guarded whenever you are online and using your computer. Not just because you are in the comfort of your own homes mean that your are already safe. But of course, there are always ways to be safe. You just have to know them and apply them very carefully.

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