Adware refers to software which is supported by advertisements. Think about it, writing a computer program costs money so selling advertising space is one way in which they can get their investment back. This software will automatically download content from the internet and then advertise certain products and services. Although adware and spyware are two different things the lines do get blurred sometimes, some adware is considered as privacy invasive software.
Adware is free software which has advertising bundles into or with the adware program, it's normally as a way to recoup the costs associated with writing the program, although in other cases it might be for a more suspicious reason.
Adware is also often shareware, some applications offer a free version which is supported by advertising while allowing users to upgrade at a cost. This can be a good way to get something for nothing if you like it, or pay for it if you want the version without adverts.
Normally people don't like adware and the reason is simply because it monitors a person's time on the internet and records it, this will then be given to third parties often without the user being aware about it.
There are a number of useful adware download applications which can be used to remove adware from a computer including Spyware, and Ad-Aware. These programs are very efficient methods to get rid of adware and remove spyware quickly and easily.
These programs are able to scan your computer to find spyware, and remove or quarantine it if any is found. Some of the popular antivirus software is also capable of detecting spyware, however a dedicated piece of software will be much more efficient at finding threats. Adware and spyware are different to normal viruses which is why you need a dedicated piece of software.
There are some very well known programs which are distributed with adware, including:
- 180 Solutions
- 123 Messenger
- Sweet IM
- Zango
- 888Bar
- 180SearchAssistant
- Bonzi Buddy
- ClipGenie
- BlockChecker
- Gator
- KaZaA
- IEPlugin
- Gator
- Porn Digger
- Videothang
- WeatherBug
- VirusProtectPro
- XXX Shop online
- Zwinky
Installing any one of these pieces of software means that you will also be installing adware. Most of these programs do not have an option to install the software without the adware. If you want the software then unfortunately you also have to have the adverts! Sometimes it is possible to remove the adware separately and leave the program intact, however that's not always possible.
One very well known example of an application which has adware included is Eudora, this installs as a trial version. Once the trial is up the user can either choose a free version which is supported with adverts, or a paid version with no adverts and also has more features. Choosing the free option then it becomes adware, however it doesn't collect any information apparently.
Adware removal tools are easy to find, just search the internet to find one. One of my personal favorites is XoftSpySE. This adware software has all of the features that you could ever need to seek out and destroy pesky adware before it causes any more of a problem.
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