Adware and Spyware: The Problems and Their Solutions

The Threat

10 years ago you could probably have run no Internet security applications and still have come out after a browse of the Internet with a virus and malware free computer, but this situation is no longer apparent. Several years ago, before I knew of the dangers of the Internet, I had absolutely no spyware or adware protection. After about 3 months of heavy Internet browsing, I decided to install Adaware Personal Edition and Spybot Search & Destroy, and after 1 scan of each, I truly realised the potential of the Internet. After just 3 moths of Internet browsing, I had gathered over 9000 different spyware and adware products. So if I can gather 9000 unwanted products in 3 months with only web browsing, what about all the people who constantly surf, download and install, and havn't scanned their PC for malware in over a year?

That's right. Viruses are not restricted to movies and the news anymore. Adware is not only for those who install illegal software. In 2004, adwarereport.com reported that over 70 percent of home PCs are today infected unknowingly by spyware and that over 80 percent are infected by adware. I am willing to garantee you that 9 out of 10 people who read this article have at least 1 form of adware or spyware on their PC. Now if that isn't a threat to your PC than I don't know what is.

What will it do?

So now you're saying, "So what if I have spyware or adware. How much harm could it do?". That's a reasonable question, considering one of the reasons adware has been ignored for so long is its lack of severe harm. Adware slows your computer, it slows your Internet, it displays a popup every once in a while, but really it does no harm to personal files or hardware. Both adware and spyware breach privacy, but personal data rarely reaches anyone but untargeted advertisers so SPAM and advertising are the only real problems.

Therefore, it is logical to say that adware and spyware are not as serious a threat as malicious viruses and trojans, but they are a threat all the same.

Scanning and removing adware and spyware

With the mass realisation of the threat of adware and spyware in the last couple of years, there is now literally hundreds of spyware and adware removers online.

The most respected and thorough scanners for adware and spyware are Lavasoft Ad-aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Both are free and are known to be much better then most of their costly counterparts. Microsoft Anti-Spyware is quickly increasing in popularity but is currently in Beta stages. Several other notable scanners include Spysweeper, BPS Spyware & Adware Remover and PestPatrol.

I personally recommend you scan about once a month with both Spybot Search and Destroy as well with Lavasoft Adaware Personal Edition.

Links

Lavasoft Ad-aware : http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Spybot S&D :http://spybot.eon.net.au/en/

References

www.adwarereport.com

Soroush King is a certified programmer, adept in VB, C++, Delphi, as well as web developer and scripter, having considerable knowledge of both PHP and Perl. He also owns and manages several professional websites.

This article was originally published at http://www.articlesandtools.com/adware.php For more information on computer security visit http://www.articlesandtools.com.

If you would like to use this article anywhere else, please just notify me by sending an email to kingofkings@gmail.com (you don't have to wait for a response, as this is just a notification, not permission). Please refer on the page that the author of the article was I, Soroush King, and also please note that the article was originally published at http://www.articlesandtools.com/adware.php by providing a link.

---

Types Of Computer Infections

Computer infections can be broken up into 4 main categories... Read More

Avoid Internet Theft, Fraud and Phishing

Since its birth, the Internet has grown and expanded to... Read More

The Importance of Protecting Your PC from Viruses and Spam

Today the internet is a mine field of malicious code... Read More

Phishing - Learn To Identify It

Phishing: (fish'ing) (n.)This is when someone sends you an email... Read More

Top Five Spyware Fighting Tips

Spyware and adware are becoming major problems for online surfers... Read More

Make Money Online - Defend Against The Latest Scam

First, let's do a little recap'. As I stated in... Read More

Spyware is Not Like a Nosy Neighbor

Remember the television show about the nosy neighbor Mrs. Kravitz... Read More

Secrets On Security: A Gentle Introduction To Cryptography

Let us take the example of scrambling an egg. First,... Read More

IPv6 - Next Step In IP Security

IPv6, IntroductionThe high rate at wich the internet continualy evolves... Read More

Wells Fargo Report Phishing Scam

First off I should explain what phishing is. Phishing is... Read More

Phishing: A Scary Way of Life

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified "phishing" as the... Read More

Why Corporations Need to Worry About Phishing

Phishing is a relatively new form of online fraud that... Read More

The Risk Of Electronic Fraud & Identity Theft

Electronic Fraud and Identity Theft Human beings are pretty... Read More

How to Protect Yourself Against Online Criminals

Credit card fraud is a growing problem for online businesses... Read More

What Can Be Done About Spyware And Adware

Having a good Spyware eliminator on your computer is vital... Read More

Identity Theft ? Beware of Phishing Attacks!

"Dear Bank of the West customer", the message begins. I've... Read More

Do You Know What your Kids Are Doing Online?

It's a sad statistic, but hundreds of unsuspecting kids are... Read More

The One Critical Piece Of Free Software Thats Been Overlooked

Can You Prevent Spyware, Worms, Trojans, Viruses, ... To Work... Read More

How Did This Happen to Me? Top 10 Ways to Get Spyware or Viruses on Your Computer

If you use the internet, you have probably been infected... Read More

Phishing

Recently I have received email from my bank/credit Card Company,... Read More

Reporting Internet Scams

When it comes to reporting Internet scams most of us... Read More

From Spyware with Love!

It's late. You've been scouring the web for that perfect... Read More

Three-pronged Trojan Attack Threatens Security on the Internet

Glieder (Win32.Glieder.AK), Fantibag (Win32.Fantibag.A) and Mitglieder (Win32.Mitglieder.CT) are not names... Read More

SCAMS ? Be Aware ? And Report When Necessary

The Internet is a vast International Network of people and... Read More

5 Tips For An Unbreakable Password

Despite the current wave of identity theft and corporate security... Read More

The Truth About Hiding Your Tracks on the Internet

Ok, ok, I know you've seen them. All those pop... Read More

How To Prevent Spyware Attacking Your Computer

Spyware is software or hardware installed on a computer without... Read More

Is That Free Stuff Like An iPod Or Desktop Computer Really Free?

Have you seen the web site, www.freestuff.com? Or have you... Read More

SPYWARE - Whos Watching Who?

I am in the midst of Oscar Wilde's The Picture... Read More

Social Engineering: You Have Been A Victim

Monday morning, 6am; the electric rooster is telling you it's... Read More

Spyware Protection Software

Spyware protection software is the easiest way of removing spyware... Read More

Adware and Spyware: The Problems and Their Solutions

The Threat10 years ago you could probably have run no... Read More

If You Steal It, They May Come!

Business on the internet is getting down right shameless. This... Read More