Adware / Spyware Information & Removal

 

What is Adware?

Adware is any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running. These applications include additional code that delivers the ads, which can be viewed through pop-up windows or through a bar that appears on a computer screen. Adware has been criticized for occasionally including codes that tracks user's personal information and passes it on to third parties, without the user's knowledge.

 

What is Spyware?

Spyware is program that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program. Data collecting programs that are installed with the user's knowledge are not, properly speaking, spyware, if the user fully understands what data is being collected and with whom it is being shared.

 

Most common Adware / Spyware applications

Spyware and Adware programs can be found in many places. Spyware usually is installed along with other programs such as KaZaa or Morpheus. Here is a short list of some common Spyware programs.

• Gator
• BargainBuddy
• BDE
• Bonsai Buddy

 

How can I tell if my computer has Adware / Spyware?

Spyware can be very difficult to detect. Adware, by its very nature, usually makes itself known in some manner. Some symptoms that your PC may be infected with spyware or adware are:

• Your computer seems unexpectedly slow.
• Your browser is unable to connect to various web sites, or URLs don't work correctly (for example, attempts to visit Google are directed to another site, your home page is changed, etc.).
• Pop-up ads appear on your computer even when you are not browsing or it is disconnected from the network.

It is possible to be infected with spyware without your computer showing any noticable symptoms. Anti-virus programs usually do not detect or remove many types of adware & spyware.

 

How do I get rid of Adware / Spyware?

Two programs that are good at removing adware/spyware are Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware. See our Documentations page on how to install and work with there programs.

 

How do I protect my computer?

• Be careful when installing software that you've downloaded from the internet, since it may include adware or spyware. For example, some file sharing programs are well-known for including such software. Also, be extremely cautious when your browser prompts you to run an Active X control (if you are running Internet Explorer). We strongly recommend eveyone to use Mozilla Firefox.
• Don't open e-mail attachments unless you know the person sending the attachment and you are expecting an attachment from them.
• Keep your system and any software you run up-to-date with the vendor's patches.
• If you are running Internet Explorer as your browser, at a minimum you should use a "Medium" security level for the internet zone. To set your security level, go to the Internet Explorer menu item Tools --> Internet Options --> Security Tab. Select the Internet zone and and adjust the slider. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult to completely secure Internet Explorer without disabling functionality that is used by many web sites.