What is Adware? Definition and Prevention

Adware: Adware is software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material (pop up advertisements), often unwanted, when a user is online. It’s typically used by companies to generate revenue by showing ads to the user, often within a web browser or during the installation process of free software.

How do you get Adware?

You might get adware from downloading free programs from the internet because sometimes these programs include adware in their installation. If you visit risky websites or click on strange pop-up ads, you might also accidentally download adware. Opening email attachments from unknown people or clicking on their links can put adware on your device too.

Using peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing services to download files can be risky, as some files might have adware hidden in them. Also, be careful with fake software update alerts on websites; they can trick you into downloading adware. So, it’s important to be cautious about what you download and click on to avoid getting adware.

Working of Adware Software

Adware is all about making money for those who create and spread it. They earn money through different ways like pay-per-click (PPC), Pay-per-view (PPV) and Pay-per-install (PPI). When you install the primary software, the adware installs alongside it, sometimes mentioned in the fine print of the installation terms.

Once installed, adware can run in the background of your system, often without noticeable signs to the user. Many adware programs also collect data on your browsing habits, search history, and even personal information. This data is used to tailor ads to your interests, making them more likely to catch your attention and click on them.

• Pay-per-click (PPC) — they get paid each time you open an ad.
• Pay-per-view (PPV) — they get paid each time an ad is shown to you.
• Pay-per-install (PPI) — they get paid each time bundled software is installed on a device.

Types of Adware

Adware comes in various forms, each with its own method of displaying ads or collecting data.

1. Pop-Up Adware

This is one of the most noticeable types of adware. It creates pop-up advertisements that suddenly appear while browsing the internet. These ads can be intrusive, blocking the content you are trying to view or popping up in new tabs or windows, disrupting your online activities.

2. Browser Hijacker Adware

This type of adware takes control of your web browser settings. It can change your homepage, modify your search engine, or add toolbars without your consent. The aim is often to redirect your web searches to advertising or malicious websites to generate revenue.

3. Legitimate Adware

Not all adware is tricky or dishonest. Some programs are clear about showing ads because that’s how they can offer you their service or app for free. Since these programs tell you about the ads upfront, it’s considered a fairer type of adware. This means you can decide if you want to keep using the app with the ads.

4. Spyware Adware

This variant not only displays ads but also tracks and collects user data, such as browsing habits, for targeted advertising or selling information to third parties.

5. Trojan Adware

Trojan adware pretends to be safe and useful software to trick people into downloading it. After it’s installed, it shows ads and can also do bad things to your computer, like trojan malware does. It’s very risky because it can cause more problems, like letting other viruses in or stealing your private information

6. Ad-Injecting Software

Injects ads into web pages in a way that they appear as part of the site itself, often misleading users about their origin.

7. Mobile Adware

Specifically designed for mobile devices, this type displays ads on smartphones or tablets, sometimes even when the app itself is not actively used.

Each type of adware has its own characteristics and methods of operation, but all share the common goal of generating revenue through the display of ads, often at the expense of user experience and privacy.

Know if your System is having an Adware –

To determine if you have an adware infection, you can look for several common signs:

1. Increased Ads: Seeing more ads than usual, especially pop-ups, banners, or ads that seem out of place, can indicate adware.
2. Browser Changes: If your browser’s homepage, search engine, or settings change without your input, it might be due to adware.
3. Slower Performance: Adware can slow down your computer or internet connection because it uses resources to display ads or track your activity.
4. Unwanted Toolbars or Extensions: Finding new toolbars, extensions, or plugins in your browser that you didn’t install could be a sign of adware.
5. Frequent Crashes or Freezes: If your computer or browser starts crashing or freezing more often, it could be struggling with adware.
6. Random Website Redirects: Being redirected to different websites, especially advertising or suspicious ones, without clicking on anything can indicate adware.
7. Unfamiliar Programs: If you notice new programs on your computer that you don’t remember installing, they might be adware.

If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to run a thorough scan using a reliable antivirus or anti-malware program to detect and remove the adware.

How to Remove Adware

To remove adware from your computer or device, follow these steps:

1. Use Antivirus Software: Run a complete check with your antivirus program to find and get rid of any adware.
2. Remove Strange Programs: Look through the programs installed on your computer. If you see anything you don’t recognize or didn’t install yourself, remove it. You can do this from the ‘Control Panel’ on Windows or by moving it to the Trash on a Mac.
3. Fix Your Browser: Sometimes adware changes your browser settings. Resetting your browser to its original settings can help fix this. Look for a ‘Reset’ option in your browser’s settings menu.
4. Check for Unknown Browser Extensions: Open your browser’s extensions or add-ons menu. If you find any extensions you didn’t add yourself, remove them.
5. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies: Clearing your browser’s history, cache, and cookies can help remove any remaining adware traces.
6. Keep Your Software Updated: Make sure your operating system, browser, and any installed software are up to date. Updates can fix security holes that adware might exploit.

By following these steps, you can get rid of adware and help keep your device safe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, adware is a type of software that shows unwanted ads on your device. It can sneak into your system through free downloads, suspicious websites, or email links. While some adware is just annoying, other types can slow down your device, change your browser settings, and even threaten your online security.

To stay safe, it’s important to use antivirus software, keep your programs updated, and be cautious about what you download and where you click. By understanding what adware is and how to remove it, you can protect your device from unwanted ads and keep your personal information secure.

What is Adware? Definition and Prevention – FAQs

What is adware virus?

An adware virus is a type of malware that automatically displays or downloads advertising to a device, often without the user’s consent, and can also track user activity and collect data.

Where is adware located?

Adware is typically located in the software that you download and install on your device, within web browser extensions or toolbars, and sometimes hidden in the operating system’s files if it has deeply infected the system.

Why is adware bad?

Adware is bad because it can sell your data to third parties, slow down your device, change your settings, and potentially crash your browser. Adware also makes browsing the web a worse experience, as you’ll be barraged with redirects, banners, and pop-ups.

What is adware protection?

Adware protection refers to security measures and software designed to detect, prevent, and remove adware from a computer or device, keeping it free from unwanted ads and safeguarding privacy and system integrity.

How to delete adware?

To delete adware, run a full scan with reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove it, uninstall any suspicious or unknown programs from your device, reset your web browser settings, and remove any unwanted browser extensions or toolbars.