About Ad-Aware

By far the most popular adware and spyware removal tool is Ad-Aware from Lavasoft. There is a freeware version (Ad-Aware SE Personal) available for download at the Lavasoft website . The software features powerful search and removal tools that help detect and eliminate spyware from your computer efficiently and effectively.

The advantage of Ad-Aware for a personal home computer user is that it performs a quick scan that is effective enough for removal of not only spyware and adware but also Trojans, Keyloggers, and more.

Ad-Aware can detect spyware programs running in your computer's memory, examine your system's startup settings, deal with browser hijacking, remove tracking cookies, and finally changes to the Registry that have been made by spyware and adware programs. The best part about Ad-Aware is that it can get rid of stubborn spyware.


The application, however, does not have some key functions. For example, it does not let you schedule spyware scans. You can only configure it to run scans at startup, or normally when you choose. Also, its real-time scanning is not as efficient as that of some other programs. Still, the program makes up for this with it's easy-to-use interface and customisable san options. You can choose the level of thoroughness you want to run the scan at, from a deep system and archive scan to a simple surface scan.


Ad-Aware can be updated with latest spyware and adware definitions, that is available with Lavasoft. You can update it just by one click from within the program. This helps to keep your system more safe.

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Adware Attacks!

Adware is usually bundled with a commercial software. It can install itself on your computer either with your permission or without your knowledge when you install the software package. Milder forms of adware are also present in the form of pop-up or pop-under banners that pop up when you visit certain websites. These ads, sometimes referred to as "java traps", open up in several mini-windows, each time a window is closed by the user, code that spawns another window is activated.


Programmers sometimes add adware to their software packages in order to recover some of the cost of developing the package. If the package is freeware, then the adware is used to make up for the entire cost of development. Shareware packages also sometimes carry adware that is activated once the trial period is over.

Adware can have several negative effects on your computer. It generally slows it down since it gobbles up some of your system's RAM. It also, to a large extent, slows down your internet connection, as a lot of bandwidth can be used to download ad contents.

Adware is generally licensed content, and therefore usually requires the user's permission before being installed on user's computer. Adware collects information about how you are using your computer and the content transmitted therein, and based on this, displays "relevant" ads in your browser. The free version of certain browsers, like Opera (not in the present version), used to support adware. Come P2P clients, such as KaZaA, have adware that install on your computer.

Mind it, there are very few examples of such "good" adware, that installs on your permission! Good adware allows you to uninstall it whenever you like it. The other type of adware installs itself on your computer without your permission. Usually, sites with explicit content install such packages onto your computer. These could eventually "hijack" your browser, causing your screen to get filled with more and more pop-ups.

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What is a Spyware?

Spyware got the name from the fact that it installs itself and performs malicious operations on the user's computer without his/her knowledge. Unlike the Adware, a Spyware is irritating right from the beginning.

It is intentionally designed to stelthily install itself and monitor the user's activity, accessing information that can easily be used to someone's profit. Essentially, spyware, once on your computer, is used to transmit personal data to a third party that will use it for a purpose you did not sanction.

Spyware is not a virus or worm, as it is not intended to replicate itself. Then also spyware is harmful and we must keep them away from our computers!


Some Common Spyware:

Zango
Errorguard
CoolWebSearch
MovieLand
etc.....

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What is an Adware?

"Adware" is an abbreviation for advertising-supported software. Adware comes bundled with some commercial software which, upon installation, installs packages that download advertising material to your computer and display them. These ads are usually displayed when the user is using the original software application. However, this is not always the case. As it becomes increasingly pervasive on your computer, adware begins to pop up ads even when you are not using the original software application. And that's when it gets really irritating.


Some Common Adware programs :
180 Solutions
Gator
Hotbar
PornDigger!
WinFixer
etc......

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