Spam, scams and shams... Adware and Spyware

Recognising Adware and Spyware and what you can do about it

Author:  Paul Landers

Adware and Spyware are categories of computer programs (or instructions) that are installed on a computer, usually without the user's knowledge or permission. While the two's functions are different, the two types of software are similar in nature and operation and the line between their definitions is often blurred.

Both Adware and Spyware install themselves on computers, by either being disguised as, or by being embedded in, another program. Unlike viruses and worms, Adware and Spyware do not usually "copy" themselves on to other computers. Instead, they're presented either as (or within) something more desirable that an unsuspecting user might download and install. Once installed, they both run in the background, without the user's knowledge or permission and secretly collect information about the user that they use in different ways.

Adware typically monitors a user's browsing habits and presents them with targeted advertising, either with continued pop-ups or by continually re-directing them to targeted websites. Sometimes the advertising isn't so targeted, and the user is constantly bombarded with something undesirable, usually pornography.

Spyware can be far more dangerous. Spyware generally collects more than the user's habits, it often collects personal information that may be stored on the user's computer. The information collected is sent back to the Spyware writer who may use it for any number of purposes - from simply bombarding the user with targeted advertising to credit card and identity theft.

Regardless of their intent, Adware and Spyware are dangerous parasites that are far more rampant than most of us would suspect. Experts suggest that more than 25% of all computer users have at least one Adware or Spyware program running on their computer without and suspicion or knowledge of it. It really doesn't matter how clean or careful your browsing and/or downloading habits are, Adware and Spyware programs somehow find their way on to your computer.

How do you prevent these programs from installing themselves on your computer? The most obvious way is to be aware and cautious of what you download and install. Even that, though, is not going to be sufficient. There are many anti-Adware and anti-Spyware programs available that will protect you from, and remove these programs. Of the free versions, we recommend Ad-Aware from Lavasoft available here and/or Spybot Search & Destroy here. We suggest you download, install and use both programs. Our experience is that what one misses, the other picks-up. If you'd like to know how to download and install software, you can read a more detailed article here.

Which Adware/Spyware remover do we use? We use NoAdware. It's fast, thorough, easy to use and well priced. It also runs scans automatically based on a schedule that the user sets. It's well priced and we highly recommend it. You can find out more about it and/or download a trial version here.

At best, Adware and Spyware programs are menaces that slow-down your computer and constantly annoy you. At worst, they're dangerous and can do both you and your computer enormous harm.

For your part, diligence and regular maintenance and "cleaning" of your computer files are your best defence. You can read a more detailed article about maintaining and cleaning your computer here.