About Adware

Adware, or advertising-supported software, is a type of software application that automatically displays or downloads advertisements to a computer on which it is installed. Most adware is installed unintentionally and results in frequent pop-ups or banner ads on the infected computer. Although some adware is legitimate, most types of adware run in the background, avoiding detection and obtaining and transmitting information to a third party. This type of adware is called spyware, and it is becoming increasingly common on the Internet.

History

Adware was first created as a legitimate extension of Internet advertising. Originally, most adware alerted users to its presence, and many programs enabled users to opt out of installing the software. Over the years, companies began forcing users to accept the installation of adware on their computer in order to download freeware or other applications. Creators of adware gradually began hiding the programs when increasing numbers of Internet users started to avoid software packages that came bundled with adware applications. Since that time, adware has become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. Once used primarily for advertising, adware is now used more often for tracking online activities, detecting user preferences and stealing sensitive information.

Function

Adware is basically any software application that displays advertising banners or pop-ups while the program is running on an infected computer. Adware applications contain code that delivers the ads, and are often bundled with other programs or software. The legitimate purpose of adware is to assist in the recovery of development cost of freeware. However, many adware programs are created for additional, malevolent reasons, such as to track Internet activity or steal sensitive information from the user. Legitimate adware does not mislead the user or operate without consent. Spyware adware targets ads based on information gathered from a user's online activities, while other spyware runs in the background, often unseen, and obtains and sends sensitive information to third parties.

Identification

Depending on the specific type of adware program installed, the computer user may experience an increase in pop-ups, a redirection of their browser home page, the invisible installation of other programs or utilities, such as a browser search bar, or may discover links to websites have been added to their favorites. These links may be to legitimate sites, but commonly they direct the user to illegal gambling, download, or pornographic websites. Most adware programs display innocent, albeit irritating, advertisements, sometimes in the form of pop-ups that appear automatically at various intervals of times. Other adware programs display ads only when a user opens their browser window or visits a specific website. This type of adware is not only annoying; it can be offensive and may be used to collect personal information about the user. The collection of personal and financial information has been linked to identity theft and bank fraud, and is nearly always used to target an increasing number of advertisements to the user.

Prevention/Solution

Prevention of adware is not always easy, as the software often comes bundled with legitimate, and desired, programs. However, infection by adware can often be prevented by avoiding software programs that are offered or created by unknown companies, by installing a quality anti-virus product, and by always using a spyware detector on your computer. Internet users should never click on pop-up advertisements or click on email links from unknown parties. Removal of existing adware programs can be done by using one of the many adware and spyware removal applications available on the Internet. These applications are specifically designed to seek out adware, remove it when possible, and quarantine adware files when removal might cause damage to other applications.

Warning

One dangerous type of adware is known as spyware. Spyware may come bundled with adware or may mimic other programs. Spyware typically collects personal or financial information from the computer it is installed on, and then sends this information to a third party. This is often done without the user's knowledge or consent. Spyware can be financially devastating when used to collect financial information, passwords, or other sensitive data. The risk of downloading spyware increases for Internet users who download or share freeware, toolbars, or music files. Spyware is also transmitted via spam emails.