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Understanding & Dealing With Spyware And Adware
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15-Dec-2008
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What is Spyware/Adware?
Adware and Spyware are both types of software that are often unknowingly or unintentionally installed on your computer for the purpose of gathering information about you and your Internet habits. Though both forms of software relay this information to advertisers or other interested parties, Adware will also use that information to display targeted advertisements in the form of banner and/or pop-up ads directly on your computer.
How did Spyware/Adware get on my computer?
Spyware/Adware is often installed as part of other software packages/downloads. Many "free" programs that you download will receive funding from Spyware/Adware developers, if they include their Spyware/Adware as part of the installation process. Most software companies will notify you of included Spyware/Adware programs in disclaimers and will sometimes give you the option to "uncheck" that program from being installed. The catch is, however, that you have to read the fine print and installation instructions very carefully, and make sure that you opt out of any optional software. Sometimes you will be required to have your e-mail address included on any update list or newsletter. This is often another tactic used to gain your "permission" to send information to you.
How do I get rid of it?
There are many Spyware/Adware removal programs available on the Internet. Many such programs can be found by searching for "spyware removal" on Google or other common search engines. Unfortunately, there are also some Spyware/Adware companies that create Web sites that will "trick" you into downloading their application with the belief that it will remove spyware/adware, when in reality it is actually creating more.
Windows Users: I still insist that F-Secure Internet Security is the only real security application out there. Time and again, I have used this utility when every other security application has failed. They are European and not well known, but this really works to their advantage. Spyware/Adware companies that try to circumvent popular security applications often miss, or simply don't have enough resources available to them to counter, F-Secure. This program is very heavy on system resources, though, and if you don't have a multi-core processor and over 1 GB of RAM installed on your system I do not recommend it (instead, I recommend upgrading/getting a new system...).
Macintosh Users: A trial version of "Internet Cleanup" by Alladin Systems can be downloaded by browsing to their site, and downloading the latest version of their application.
Be sure to read the legal notice at the bottom of this message before downloading any third-party software.
How do I stop pop-ups?
Even if your computer is free of Spyware/Adware, you will most likely still experience pop-up ads/windows when you browse the Internet. There are several pop-up blocker/stopper tools available on the Internet, many of which can be found by searching for "free pop-up blocker" on Google or other common search engines. Again, some Spyware/Adware companies will try to "trick" you into downloading their application with the belief that it will help your computer, when in reality it is adding more Spyware/Adware and will likely increase the number of pop-ups you get.
Windows Users: Again, go with F-Secure. They just are, hands down, the best.
Macintosh Users: Macintosh OSX has a pop-up blocker built into its browser, Safari. Earlier Macintosh OS users can try a program called "No Popups!!!" which can be downloaded by clicking on this link.
Be sure to read the legal notice at the bottom of this message before downloading any third-party software.
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