One of the most annoying things Internet users have to deal with is the prevalence of malware. This is software that is coded with malicious intent.
Viruses are one of the most well-known forms of malware, but there are also two others: spyware and adware.
Spyware is software that can track how you use your computer or the Internet, while adware is software used to push ads to your computer.
Adware actually began as a legitimate type of software for Internet marketers but became malware when used in conjunction with spyware. This combination is popular because it allows unscrupulous Internet marketers the opportunity to customise their advertisements.
So, how can you remove spyware and adware from your computer?
The process is actually similar to removing viruses. You will need either an anti-virus program with spyware / adware capabilities or a separate spyware and adware remover. And a make sure this software is a reliable trojan horse virus remover. Either will work similarly.
Basically the program will scour your computer for spyware or adware and remove the software when prompted.
That said, you need to be careful when you remove spyware and adware. Why?
The first reason is because it’s possible that the spyware and adware remover incorrectly flagged software that wasn’t spyware or adware in the first place. Sometimes these programs may be integral to your operating system.
For this reason you need to proceed with caution before they go about removing spyware and adware. If you are unsure if a file is spyware or adware, they should put it in a quarantine file – which differs slightly for each software you use.
Then you should try to locate programs that could be associated with the file. If you think the file is spyware or adware, you can delete it at a later time.
Another reason you need to be careful when removing spyware and adware is because some spyware and adware removal programs are actually spyware themselves!! They let the computer user think their computer contains a whole bunch of spyware or adware, yet they don’t really delete it.
Instead when you go through the scanning process it installs new spyware or adware, further infecting the your computer. To avoid this consequence, you’ll just need to buy brand-name spyware and adware removers. Check out the Freeware Geeks which has some great free freeware versions of adware, virus and spyware removal software.
It is amazing that spyware and adware, (types of software that send ‘customized’ advertisements through tracking your computing or Internet habits), are still even legal in the United States. Granted, there has been legislation to try and outlaw the software but currently, nothing has been successful enough yet to stop their distribution.
For the computer user that is sceptical, all you have to do is download something off of a file-sharing program, even a file that is legitimate, and see what happens. Chances are, they will become infected with spyware or adware.
Fortunately, if you have a spyware and adware blocker, you can prevent spyware or adware from getting to your computer in the first place.
What is a spyware and adware blocker?
A spyware and adware blocker is a program which places a firewall to keep unwanted files from being uploaded on a person’s computer. Advanced spyware and adware blockers may alert a person that someone or something it deems as ‘uninvited’ are trying to access their network. The person is then given the option to accept their presence or decline it.
Spyware and adware blockers are available in several forms. Some come packaged with Internet browsers, though their level of protection is somewhat limited. Others are packaged with anti-virus programs. These types tend to be highly effective. The final type are distributed as separate programs. Stand-alone spyware and adware blocker programs are the most effective.
It should be noted that even with the best spyware and adware blocker, sometimes it may still get through. This is because there are programs that come distributed with hidden “nasties” embedded inside the program itself.
When the person installs the program, they are actually also installing the spyware or adware. They are not aware of it because they are fooled into thinking the programs are a legitimate part of the download process.
For this reason you’ll need to still invest in a good spyware and adware remover. Like spyware and adware blockers, they can also come packaged separately or with anti-virus programs.
Some may also have blocking capacity, so a person won’t have to spend extra money trying to find the right spyware and adware blocker.
For freeware versions of reputable spyware, adware and virus removal software, Check out FreewareGeeks.com
Also here are the top 3 spyware / adware softwares you’ll ever need…
May your computer be problem free!
HowOMG.com
