Summary: Adware, software dedicated to
displaying advertising, can really slow down any business that depends on its computers.
Adware promoters use some cunning tricks to get you to install their software on your
machine. Here's what to look out for.
Adware is, by definition, something reasonable people don't
want on their computers. That's why adware can't just come out and ask people to install
it. Often, the computer owner is completely unaware of it being installed. But not always.
When adware doesn't want to sneak in through an open
window, it will try to trick you into letting it in through the front door. Don't think
you could be tricked? Don't be so sure until you've checked out these most common ways
people have been tricked into allowing malware to be installed on their machines.
Adware Installation Trick 1: Piggybacking
- How it works: malware may come bundled with a legitimate
piece of software the user actually wants, such as a game or emoticon. The malware is
merely labeled "companion software," without any indication of what it will do.
- How to fight it: the fact that adware so often comes bundled
with "entertainment" software, most notably the file-swapping program Kazaa, is
a very good reason to separate business from personal when it comes to computing. But
adware can sometimes comes bundled with non-entertainment software, such as search tools
or cracks of legitimate business software. Be very suspicious of any software that comes
bundled with other software. Don't installed software that comes bundled with other
software unless you know everything that the bundled software does. After all, if the
bundled program has anything to do with the program you actually want, why couldn't the
software developer just get both programs' functionalities into a single piece of
software? Software developers are now very sensitive to malware concerns and will provide
a lengthy explanation of just why the bundled software is necessary, in the cases when
they actually do need to use bundled software.
Adware Installation Trick 2: Bait and Switch
- How it works: since people are getting more and more
suspicious of bundled software, the program's developers may simply label it as valuable
software, for instance, a browser plug-in that supposedly accelerates web browsing (but in
reality only shows ads).
- How to fight it: again, a suspicious mind is useful in
avoiding malware. Ask yourself some questions:
- What will this software actually do? Adware and
adware-bundled software often come with very fuzzy claims attached. Sure, it says it will
improve your browsing experience, but how? Often, this improved browsing experience just
means a browsing experience with more advertising.
- If the software is so great, why is it being given away
free? Most commonly, software is only given out free in two cases: if it's OpenSource
(designed by a community of developers and not proprietary–OpenSource software is
always clearly labeled as such); or simply a come-on for a fuller-featured version of the
software. If neither case is true, there's a real chance the software is financed by
adware.
Adware Installation Trick 3: Outright Lying
- How it works: adware may even be labeled as something else
entirely, such as a well-known piece of software or a crucial component of the computer
operating system.
- How to fight it: this is the trickiest adware of all, and
requires extreme caution. You don't want to start deleting any of your program files, much
less your system registry entries, unless you're absolutely sure it's malware. Plenty of
overzealous parasite hunters have shot their own machines to bits this way. This is one
case where you want to be using an anti-spyware program, and preferably a second
anti-spyware program to provide a second opinion.
Getting Rid of Adware
Adware is so tricky that trying to uninstall it by yourself
could be like a trip into the Matrix. Luckily, there are good anti-spyware programs that
tackle adware as well–after all many adware programs are also spyware since they
monitor your internet usage.
True, it may feel like adding insult to injury to have to
install more software to get rid of software you never meant to install in the first
place. But keeping your computer free of adware is just one new cost of doing business. |
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