Adware is an advertising software
(ad-ware) that is installed on your computer which
causes pop-up advertising to appear on your screen.
Some adware can even change your homepage on your
browsers and can reduce the overall performance
of your system.
Spyware
is also a form of adware that can track your web
activities, for example,what websites you visit,
the length of your visit, and even the key strokes
you type.They are especially common with freeware,
shareware, interactive contact, cookies and media
players.
The presence of such spyware and adware can have
malicious effects:
• make changes to your system files and
thus deplete the performance of your computer
• track your surfing habits by sending data
to a third-party
• take note of your shopping preferences
• affect the launch of other relevant applications
• hijack your browser Homepage
Most of this software gets installed
on the computer without the prior knowledge
of the user.The most common cause is associated
with file sharing programs such as Kazaa and
Win MX. Some websites will prompt you to install
special programs in order to view the pages.
Some of them have real functionality but others
are spyware that purports to be useful. The
user must be very careful while making the decision.
Almost all the computers that go on the Internet
have some kind of adware or spyware installed
on the computer.
How do I avoid them?
The best way is to avoid downloading software
that you do not recognize. If you are prompted
to download software, we recommend that you
close that window instead of clicking "Cancel"
or "No". Some spyware gets installed
without your consent even when you click "No"
or "Cancel." You should also be careful
with the pop-ups that asks you to download certain
programs that will remove spyware, adware or
viruses. Most of the them are spyware and may
harm your computer.
How do I remove them?
Although there are many removal programs on
the Internet, some of them are spyware themselves.
Here are our two recommendations to remove spyware/adware:
• Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search & Destroy is a freeware which
detects adware and freeware on your computer.
• Lavasoft Ad-aware
The free version of Lavasoft adaware is another
good removal tool that we recommend.
You will be amazed to see how many tracking
cookies and spywares are installed on your computer.
Run these programs once a week if you go to
the internet often.
Some adware/spyware can also
be removed manually. Go to Control
Panels->Add/Remove
and look for these commonly found programs.
If you see them on the list, remove it from
your computer.
List of most common
adwares/spywares:
• Anything by "Brilliant
Digital"
• b3d projector
• Bonzibuddy
• buddylinks.net Messaging Integration
• CommonNames
• Cydoor
• Delfin Media Viewer
• eBates
• Enhanced Medialoads
• Ezula
• Gain
• GameSpy arcade
• Gator
• Hotbar
• LinkGrabber
• Medialoads
• Medialoads Installer
• New.net Domains
• n-Case
• OfferCompanion
• Onflow
• PgTools
• PSDT Messaging Integration
• PSD Tools ChannelUp v1.0 (remove only)
• PrecisionTime
• SaveNow
• SpediaBar
• TOPicks
• TopText iLookup
• Viewpoint Media Player
• Weathercast
• Webhancer
• Xupiter
For an updated list of known spyware/adware
go to http://www.cexx.org
|
 |
|
