Remove Adware

Adware is becoming more and more common on the internet. If you need to remove adware from your computer, but aren’t sure exactly how to go about it, there are usually a few solutions that can help you out.

First of all, what is adware? Adware is defined as any program that displays or downloads advertisements while being run or after being installed. Programs may not be adware, but may contain and install adware when first run. A popular example is Zwinky. Zwinky is a “social avatar” program that in and of itself is virtually harmless, but upon installation also includes the MyWeb Searchbar. It runs on startup without asking, and redirects 404 errors to its own website. This behavior classifies it as spyware.

While adware is not usually a very serious threat, some adware has spyware behavior, which is privacy-invasive and potentially very dangerous. Identity theft, credit card fraud, and harassment have all been causes of spyware applications. Ironically, many adware or spyware applications disguise themselves as anti-spyware, so make sure the program you use is legitimate and safe. Most adware comes as part of a bundle package with another program (for example, Kazaa will not work if you uninstall the adware aspects of it), and therefore the entire bundle must be uninstalled to remove adware. This can usually be done through Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel.

The best thing you can do to remove adware from your computer is download an anti-spyware program. These will typically update themselves to receive any new types of adware programs online, immunize your computer against future threats, and then scan for and delete any adware, malware, or spyware programs you might have. If coupled with an anti-virus program, you can make sure your computer runs smoothly and efficiently without any pesky pop-ups. Another good idea, for users that have tax or credit card information on their computers, is to keep all important information on a thumb or external drive, which are isolated unless physically plugged into your PC.

If you remove adware from your computer but are still experience significant lags in performance or even getting pop-up ads, consider several things. Are you using a well-reviewed anti-spyware program? Were there any problems it didn’t fix that you could try to fix manually? Do you also run an anti-virus program? Are your defensive applications well-updated? These are all important parts of keeping your computer safe.