It looks like nobody is really safe on the Internet today. Even popular social networking sites like Facebook and its users are no longer safe from computer infections. Just recently, a web-based application called Secret Crush was found to have been in violation of the Facebook’s terms of service because of its adware characteristics. The trick is that this widget entices users to click on a link that basically sends them to a website full of malicious softwares. Among the malwares that can be downloaded from the website is called Zango, an infamous adware program that have been downloaded and installed to as much as one million Facebook users.

Zango, which was formerly associated with Hotbar adwareand 180solutions, is one of the leading distributors of adwares. The company develops softwares that provide users with business resources and games, along with DRM-restricted music and videos. But recently, the company settled a $1 million fine with the Federal Trade Commission for installing adware programs without users knowing about it, at the same time obstructing users from removing them.

Security experts have come up with a long list of undesirable activities associated with free softwares provided by Zango, one of which is their instant messaging utility called Zango Easy Messenger. Reports have said that this messaging client tracks and reports user behavior to be able to display targeted advertisements. It can also automatically function during the startup and install other adware components.

McAfee, a top brand in computer security, also warns users from using Zango programs. They said that while many applications from the company may have legitimate purpose, users should still be cautious when downloading and installing them. The company classifies Zango softwares as PUPs or potentially unwanted programs that may function as adware downloaders.

Because of the ever increasing popularity of social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Friendster, many cyber criminals set to do harm are starting to use them as venue for their wrongdoings. That is why it is very important to be very extra careful when going to this websites and clicking unknown links all over their pages. This recent wave of infections from these popular portals should come as a warning to users that they should always have their guards up and never be caught in a vulnerable situation. Or else, the bad guys will definitely come to get you. And not even the most innocent websites can be a safe haven for us.

Accused adware purveyor Zango shuttered by bank foreclosure
Zango, a principal player in the spreading of ‘adware,’ has been forced to close down after a decade in business.

Zango Software Spyware Or Adware
http://live.pirillo.com – Imagine my surprise the other day when searching for an archived document of mine the other day. There was what I was looking for…

Adware vendor Zango shuts its doors
"Zango, the adware distributor that was fined $3 million by the Federal Trade Commission in 2006 for sneaking software on people’s PCs, has closed its.

Technorati Tags: adware, Facebook, free software, illegal installation, malware, McAfee, spyware

From what we have already discussed in this humble blog, we know that adwares are softwares bundled with freewares or sharewares that enables advertisements to be displayed while the program is running. It is a way for the developers to earn income for their products without requiring users to pay for it. Adwares, though not all of them, can be distractions for users while performing their tasks.

But how exactly does one get adwares installed and running on his or her system? What do these supposed malicious wares do to your computers? Are they really that harmful as what most people have said? Let’s all find out.

The Causes

Most of the time, users don’t even know that they are getting adwares installed to their computers. In fact, most people do not want adwares to be deliberately installed on their systems. And because of this, developers have many ways on how to get them installed without even the users finding them out. Here are just some ways:

• Adwares are usually bundled with free programs, those that are known as freewares or sharewares. During installation of these programs, developers see to it that adwares are also installed to your system in the background.

• Some adware programs are run while a movie or video clip is being downloaded or played from a website. Users are usually blindsided into thinking that they are only watching something while an adware is already being installed.

• A user may be tricked into answering a question about downloading or running some software that are usually misleading. This includes description about the software that make people thinks that they are used for something else aside from being an adware.

• Malicious websites can also be a source of adwares. These websites usually take advantage of browser vulnerabilities or settings which may allow the installation of adwares without the user’s knowledge.

• Some cyber tricksters also use malicious hyperlinks on their websites. Visitors are tricked into clicking on them thinking they are being led into some webpage, but the truth is that the adwares is already being put into place in the background.

• Worms and viruses attached on emails can also be used to install adwares upon opening of the files or just even the email.

The Effects

After being installed on a user’s system, an adware may cause one or more things. Here are just some common ways these pesky malwares affect your computer and computing activities:

• Adwares can seriously slow down your system’s performance and cause instabilities with several processes.

• They can also make changes to the operating system, system files, registry and other important files stored on your computer.

• Adwares also has the capabilities to create many processes to prevent their removal, as well as ensure the abundance of advertisements being displayed, which in turn may become very annoying to the user.

• It can also slow down your Internet connection because adwares usually use part of your bandwidth to display ads.

• Adwares may also download more adwares and install them to your system, thus creating another circle of more problems.

• But more importantly, it pose great security risks to your computer, as well as become a threat to any network the infected computer operates on. That’s because they can also download and install other programs including hacker client tools that can be used to further harm your system, or worst give cyber criminals full control of your computer.

These are just some of the causes and effects of adwares to your system. It is important to know them very well to be safe from malwares that can harm your computer, as well as you. It is not bad to live an online life. Just make sure that you’re just always safe and free from vulnerabilities.

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Technorati Tags: adwares, cause, effects, free software, registry, spywares, virus