Tuesday's Computer Spin

Computer Spin Weekly

Adware: the What and How.



What is Adware?



Adware (advertising-supported software) is a type of software
application that automatically displays or downloads advertisements to a
computer on which it is installed. Most adware is installed
unintentionally and results in frequent pop-ups or banner ads on the
infected computer. Although some adware is legitimate, most types of
adware run in the background, avoiding detection and obtaining and
transmitting information to a third party. This type of adware is known
as spyware, and it is becoming increasingly common on the internet.



How do I get it and how do I remove it?



Adware can attach to your computer through clicking on an advertisement
pop-up, on a link in an unknown email, and most commonly through music
files. Adware already installed on your computer can be removed by using
a quality anti-virus product, as well as a spyware detector program.
These programs are designed to seek out adware, remove it or quarantine
it. There are lots of anti-virus programs available.



Here is a little something extra. I found this on Wikipedia.org, and
thought it might be interesting?



Well-known adware programs/ programs distributed with adware



* 123 Messenger
link=1>
* 180SearchAssistant

* 888bar


* Adssite Toolbar
edlink=1>
* AOL Instant Messenger

* Ask.com Toolbar (Toolbar
is automatically installed with many different programs, even after you
uncheck Ask.com during the installation process.)
* Bearshare
* BitZipper
=1> - (Software comes bundled with other products but can be unchecked
during installation)
* Bonzi Buddy
* BlockChecker
ink=1>
* Burn4Free
=1>
* ClipGenie
* Comet Cursor
* Crazy Girls
* Cydoor
* Daemon Tools -
(Software comes bundled with the "Daemon Tools WhenUSave Toolbar" but
can be unchecked during installation)
* DivX
* DollarRevenue
* eBike Insurance
* eCar Insurance
* eVan Insurance
* Ebates MoneyMaker
* ErrorSafe
* ErrorSweeper
ink=1>
* Evernote
* Ezula

* FaceGame.exe
* FormatFactory
* Foxit PDF Reader

* FlashGet
* Gamevance
* Gator
* Gool.exe
* IWNet

* Kazaa
* Kiwee Toolbar
* Messenger Plus! Live
- (Software comes
bundled with adware, but can be unchecked during installation)
* MessengerSkinner
* Mirar Toolbar
* MyWay Search Assistant

* MyWay Searchbar
* MyWay Speedbar
* MyWeb Searchbar
(Temporarily, is not adware anymore)
* MyWebSearch
(Temporarily, is not adware anymore)
* Oemji Toolbar
* PornDigger!
* Smiley Central
* Quake Live
* Spotify - (A
subscription can be paid to remove ads.)
* TagASaurus
k=1>
* TopMoxie
1>
* Tribal Fusion

* Videothang
k=1>
* Viewpoint Media Player

* VirusProtectPro
* Vuze
* WeatherBug
* WhenU
* WinAce (now with MeMedia
AdVantage)
* Winzix
* Warirc


* XXX Shop online
edlink=1>
* XXX Toy
>
* Yahoo! Messenger

* Zango
* Zango Toolbar
* Zwinky

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