No AdWare Net

Archive for the ‘NoAdware’ Category

As you’ve probably already know, adwares are softwares bundled on freewares or sharewares that display advertisements usually based on a user’s web browsing patterns. Sometimes called as spywares because of their tendency to snoop on a person’s computer and Internet activities, these applications were once a legitimate source of income for software developers who offer their technology free of charge or at discounted rates.

Adwares, like most things in this world, have different types and can be classified as such:

Adware

The most common type, which is probably the safest kind, adwares are softwares which display advertisements such as banners or popups on your desktop based on your web browsing patterns.

Keyloggers

A keylogger is a surveillance type software that can monitor and store every keystroke of a user. This means that this software can see anything that type, save them as a log file and then send them to a receiver who will use them in the future for some malicious activities.

Toolbars

Usually a horizontal bar attached to the web browser, a toolbar is a group of buttons that allows for quick navigation. However, these toolbars may trick a user to click on something or to search for something that you did not intend. Two popular examples of non-intrusive toolbars are Yahoo and Google, both have various helpful features for easy navigation within their websites.

Browser Hijackers

These malwares modify a system to force the web browser to go to various web pages either at random or upon selecting the homepage. Usually, the target websites for these browser hijackers are websites of advertisers who have paid the developer to drive traffic to them.

Cookies

Because of its nature to track and store user data without the user’s knowledge, cookies can be technically classified as adwares. However, majority of this type of adware are harmless. In fact, they are actually helpful in that they are typically used to store information and settings to personalize your visit to a certain website. Information that cookies store include usernames, email addresses, locations and other specific settings and customizations.

Though most adwares may be harmful to you and your system, there are those which prove that they are very helpful in making our online lives easier. However, everyone still has to be careful when surfing the Net and using free softwares because they may end up regretting living on the information superhighway at the end.

Warning!!! Your computer contains various types of adware

A rogue program Personal Antivirus now issues a new messages and it reads: The page at http:// says: Warning!!! Your computer contains various types of.   Read more…

Awareness in Installing Some Types of Software

Awareness in Installing Some Types of Software. Generally thoughtful as whatever category of potentially discarded programs (PUP) by the cyberspace Security Company (McAFee,) adware and …   Read more…

| Blog IT Knowledge Indy

As of yet I have not heard of anyone doing this with ToPicks, but I know that it can be done this and other types of adware. It is only a matter of time before someone starts bragging about usi…   Read more…

Technorati Tags: adwares, browser hijackers, cookies, keyloggers, toolbars, types of adwares

The computer virus is almost as old as the personal computer. What started off as a joke between software engineers has evolved into an uncontrollable beast. In the mid 1990’s computer viruses ran wild and held even big organizations like Yahoo in it’s claws. The thrill and challenge for software engineers to ‘beat’ antivirus software drove them to create some pretty nasty software.

Fortunately the law intervened and along with anti-virus software the threat posed by computer viruses was soon under control. However, today’s computer threats span much further than mere viruses. The 2 big culprits are Adware and Spyware and in many ways they are more dangerous that computer viruses.

While most people use the term computer virus to loosely define all software threats, it’s not entire correct. Malware is probably a more accurate definition. Maware basically comes from MALicious SoftWARE – software that was created with the main purpose of destroying, harming or stealing.

Virusses, adware and spyware can all be defined as malicious software. Their sole intention is to either get some sort of data from your computer or to attack some aspect of your computer’s operating system.

Malicious threats can be classified into 3 main areas: viruses, adware and spyware. They are all different yet most people confuse them to be the same thing.

The Common Computer Virus

Everybody is well aware of computer viruses. While most people still use the term virus loosely for every kind of malicious infection. The fact of the matter is that computer viruses aren’t as big a threat anymore. Most Anti-virus software today will give you plenty of protection.

There are still a lot of viruses out there – especially on email attachments and dodgy websites, but for the most part the creators of these viruses moved on to something more important – making money. This is where adware and spyware applications comes in.

Adware

Adware started out as legitimate software installations that often came with purchased applications. The adware software was designed as a way to communicate with the users and to gather data to help improve the software or fix bugs. Unfortunately this ‘good intention’ became twisted and adware today is just completely a 1000 busing this concept.

Without you knowing it, you probably agreed to have that adware installed on your computer. The agreement is usually hidden in some dense Terms and Conditions document that no one ever reads. Most free software these days come with the hidden agenda of Adware and by deploying advertising on your computer they can make a lot of money.

Adware has become quite sophisticated and can gather a lot of your personal information that they can use to advertise to you. Virtually all pop-ups are adware. It can be extremely annoying, slow your computer down and getting rid of them can be a real nightmare – even with adware remover software.

Spyware

Spyware is sneaky. It’s clever and operates under stealth. It can install itself on your computer without your knowledge or your consent. While Adware is mainly designed to advertise to you, Spyware wants to steal from you.

Don’t You Just Hate Viruses, Spywares and more?

I reckon that most of us are all aware of virus, trojan, worms, spywares, adwares and other nasty programs that can disrupt the normal functioning of our everyday computing. Sometimes our simpl…   Read more…

Your pc at home can be attacked by spywares

your pc at home can be attacked by spywares, adwares, and malwares by basically installing itself on your pc without you having any idea. it can be messing around as it infiltrates your privacy…   Read more…

How Can Adwares Affect The Computers?

H fef ave you noticed that your computer is slowing down? Or do you notice that your hard drive is starting to be full without you saving any recent files? Your computer could have infected by adwares…   Read more…

Technorati Tags: adwares, computer virus, security threat, spywares, virus, worms

The idea that advertising supports and pays for many of the services we have is an old concept. Sponsorship is what we often hear and see in the media (television, newspaper, magazines and radio). The fact of the matter is, these advertisements support and pay for what we normally enjoy — our favorite TV show and radio station, the magazines we read and the information we get from reading newspapers. In this internet age, the same concept applies all too naturally by putting advertisements in software. This is what we know as Adware.

Adware boom began in the mid-nineties. The idea for adware was very simple: software creators could incorporate advertisements in their product by having these ads played or displayed automatically or as soon as one downloads and installs the software. For many of these software creators who author and program freeware or shareware, adware is a very effective marketing tool. They would create software and then distribute it for free yet they might make little or no money out of their creation. But they could possibly make tons of money through adware. Software authors program special codes inside their application which then sends the ads onto the computer.

Adware works by installing third party applications in your computer system (like banner ads, survey forms and subscriptions which you fill-out) and are viewed via special bars or pop-ups that appear randomly your computer screens. The problem with adware though is that it can slow down your computer. Because adware retrieves advertisements from different servers or feeds information from your computer to their serves, it takes up a lot of your computer’s RAM cycles and resources. Sometimes, adware applications are also programmed improperly that it may cause your computer system to hang or bog down. And because adware displays the ads through pop-up windows which would often appear while the computer is used, it may get very annoying and obstructive. Concerns have also been raised against adware because of the fact that information from a user’s computer can be tracked or even sold in cyberspace. The idea that someone’s privacy may be invaded has caused for other people to brand adware as a very dangerous marketing tool.

However, not all adware downloads should be labelled as a security risk. Some could prove useful and pay for the freeware’s improvements and developments, which users could also ben 1000 efit from. Adware downloads from the Opera browsers for instance, support and fund Opera’s further enhancements. It also helps to keep these kinds of software as ‘freeware’ or at no cost to the user.

Applications with adware may be considered good and effective when:

The Installation of an adware program has to be granted your permission first.
The adware application may be easily un-installed if you feel you have no use for it.
It does not change your browser settings and displays the ads without obstruction.

When adware really gets obstructive and annoying, and if you still feel that some security risk may be involved, you can opt to install an adware blocking tool or a blocker that prevents your computer from reading into adware servers. Many of these totals are available for purchase online. These programs have to be continually updated for it to work effectively.

Spywares adwares and or malwares can be worse

Spywares, adwares, and or malwares can be worse and can invade your privacy without you knowing it. Using antispyware softwares to protect against spywares is the right answer to prevent its th…   Read more…

Malware’s gone, but adware’s still here

the adware’s acting up again. :rolleyes:   Read more…

Yes, contextual advertizement is full of woo-woo

They hold a stalls of ad wares with jaunty names like AdWords and AdSense 1000000 of dollars flux through these programmes each month. The advertizings sometimes look omnipresent. Publicise on …   Read more…

Technorati Tags: adware, adware facts, adwares, facts about adwares, information on adwares

Adware is one of many "malwares" or malicious software programs that are unknowingly installed on your computer when you visit online sites and download freebies. When you use share files or visit sites with free downloads of wallpaper, videos, or music, some of these sites will send along adware software with your download.

These malwares are a rapidly growing threat to all computer systems. It is estimated that in the first three months of 2005 over 80% of computer users had some type of malware software program running on their computer, without their knowledge.

Although it is much less a threat to your computer and information than spyware is, what adware will do is cause pop up banners and advertisements to appear on your computer. These advertisements are displayed on your computer no matter what program you might be using. What the people who place this type of nuisance software on you computer say is that adware advertising helps them to recover costs and allows them to offer you those freebies you want.

What you want to do to stop adware from appearing on your computer is to first run an anti-adware program. Run this program on demand regularly. Along with an anti-adware software program run your regular computer virus scan on demand also.

Check the security level on your computer. You security level setting should be at least medium to help protect you from unwanted downloads.

Do not download free files from the internet, period. When downloading any software read the end-user license agreement. Some of these agreements will state that when you download their software you are also agreeing to accept a downloaded spyware that may be placed on your computer at the same time.

Be aware of threats to your computer, and your personal information.

What are the differences between Viruses, Ad wares, and Spy wares?

Most of all people both computer users and nonusers are familiar with the words Virus, ad ware and spy ware but can we say surely that all of them know exactly what do these words exactly mean …   Read more…

What is the Difference between Malware, Adware and Spyware

Malwares, adwares, spywares and other viruses can do a lot of harm to your computers, which can be very expensive to sort out. Here I present the differences between the broad categories of mal…   Read more…

Adware tale of the computer hijackers

When we think of adware, what comes to mind are those annoying and pesky ads that pop up out of nowhere whenever we are surfing the net. Anybody who has surfed through the net has encountered t…   Read more…

Technorati Tags: adware, adware explained, adware explanation, adware facts, adwares

In this day and age where everyone depends on their computers and the Internet in doing their everyday lives, it is very important that each and every person knows the risks in being online. Hackers, spammers and all sorts of cyber criminals are always lurking around, always ready to strike when they see any vulnerability. And on top security risk when it comes to being online and using the Internet are adwares. But what really are adwares and what are the risks involved with these so-called malicious applications.

Adwares, or more appropriately known as advertising-supported softwares, are software packages which automatically plays, displays or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is running. Some types of adwares are classified as privacy-invasive software, or most commonly known as spywares.

Application of adwares includes advertising functions that are integrated into or bundled with softwares that are free to download and use. Adwares are usually seen by the software developer as a way to recover development costs to be able to offer the technology free of charges or at a reduced price. The income earned from presenting advertisements to the user may allow or motivate developers to continue or improve development of future applications and products. However, users may see the advertisements as interruptions, annoyance or distractions from what they are supposed to be doing. Also, adwares are often designed to note what Internet sites users visit and to present ads pertinent to the types of goods and services being featured on these websites.

Most of the time, adwares are bundled with free versions of software products, or what are called freewares. But sometimes, they are called shareware, giving them a bit of a distinction from freewares. The main difference is that users may are given the option to pay for a "registered" or "licensed" copy to do away with the advertisements, as compared to freewares which are 100%-free but are full of advertisements.

Though most of the time, adwares display advertisements only while running, there are programs that cause your computer to display ads even when you are not using the program in question for its intended purpose. Some may even have the capabilities to gather information about your web browsing activities to be used as a reference for advertising firms to create more targeted ads for specific users. These are commonly known as spywares. Most of the time, these applications claim to serve a useful purpose or provide some service, however their main goal is to present advertising throughout your web browsing experience.

Strictly speaking, adwares are supposed to be well-behaved application programs display advertising while being used or run. Usually this is offered as an alternative to paying for the software and is perfectly legal. However, true adwares have become quite rare, crowded out by aggressive spywares that may become harmful to you and your system in the long run.

Adware, Spyware and Monitoring Software-–What’s What?, Software

Readers are supposed to know exactly what terms like “spyware”, “adware” fef , “malware” mean. Alas, their meanings may vary from article to article, from author to author– some o…   Read more…

What Are Adware Definitions?

Adware bombards users with a series of ads that are targeted to a number of websites on the internet. It works through installing a piece of free sof fef tware onto your computer, and is more o…   Read more…

Adware, spyware and virus, what are the difference?

There are some similarities between Adware, spyware and computer viruses in the way they are nuisances to IT users. However the differences are examined below: Spyware is software that creates …   Read more…

Technorati Tags: adware, adware definition, adwares, what are adwares