EZ Computer Tips - Adware and Spyware


	Adware? Spyware? What is it and why should I care? Adware is defined as "any software application in which advertising banners are displayed, usually through popups, while the program is running". Spyware is defined as "malicious software intended to intercept or take partial control of a computer's operation without the user's informed consent". Both of these "wares" are typically linked together even though they do totally different things. Learn now how to get rid of both.
	Adware		Spyware
	Adware is meant to provide third-party advertisements for whatever company produced the program. Adware typically causes popups, sometimes quite a few, to appear out of nowhere. Sometimes popups come up as soon as you start your computer. Sometimes it's only when you open an internet browser. Either way, it's very annoying. There are a couple different ways that adware gets on your computer. One way is by visiting a malicious website that has programming built into it. Most internet browsers are getting better at stopping this kind of problem. Another way is by programs that you download from the internet. Adware is usually installed along with other, usually free, legitimate programs in order to keep programming costs down. A lot of programmers spend time and energy developing useful programs but can't make money by selling it. So, as a result, they allow advertising companies to embed these small adware programs along with the useful program that they have developed in order to recover the costs of development. The problem with this tactic of embedding a program along with another legitimate program is that the fact that permission was never granted. For example, let's say you downloaded a free photo program. As you install this free program it would not only install the photo program but it may install the adware program as well. Not all free programs have adware embedded within them. In fact, programmers are abandoning this practice because of all the problems it causes. It is always recommended to rid your computer of adware because it tends to slow it down and use of bandwidth from your internet connection.		Spyware, unlike adware, was not meant to be seen, or noticed by the computer user. This is one reason why spyware is worse of the two. Spyware typically gets into your computer through the use of malicious websites and email attachments. Spyware is designed to exploit infected computers for commercial gain. Typical tactics furthering this goal include theft of personal information (including financial information such as credit card numbers); monitoring of Web-browsing activity for marketing purposes; or routing of HTTP requests to advertising sites, all without your knowledge. Sometimes spyware will include popups based on your browsing habits and websites that you visit. If you think you may be infected with spyware then you must remove it immediately!
			Removing spyware
			There are a lot of programs that claim to remove spyware, the only problem is that how will you know if it's all gone? Again, spyware is usually meant to run in the background, without your knowledge. One of the best programs out there for free is Spybot Search & Destroy. Simply download it using this link, then install it. It is one of last remaining free spyware removal programs out there. If you want to go with a paid program them you should definitely take a look at Spyware Doctor ($30). If you are not sure of what you're doing or or scared that you're not doing it right then you should take your computer in to a local repair shop to have everything cleaned out. If the link above doesn't work then please visit our resources page to find out from which websites that you can download the program.
	Removing adware		"It is possible to fail in many ways... while to succeed is possible only in one way. " ~~ Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)
	There are several programs out there that do a good job of removing this pest. Ad-Aware is a free program that does a pretty good job. Just use this link to download it. You will then need to install it. If you are not sure of what you're doing or or scared that you're not doing it right then you should take your computer in to a local repair shop to have everything cleaned out. If the link above doesn't work then please visit our resources page to find out from which websites that you can download the program.

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