Adware, also known as spyware, is software embedded in free applications that reports a user´s Web usage patterns back to advertisers to help them customize advertisements sent to the user. Adware will often change the default home page of your Web browser, and sometimes it will even change the way your browser looks up a website by pointing you to remote Web directory. Adware sometimes includes code that tracks a user's personal information and passes it on to third parties, without the user's authorization or knowledge. Adware and spyware are accumulated especially by browsing various mainstream and niche entertainment sites: movies, music, sites aimed at kids, and especially porn or other sleazy sites. Another way that adware can end up on your computer is through peer to peer file sharing.
Removing adware from your computer is important because this software has installed itself on your computer without your knowledge or consent. Scanning for and removing these files can greatly improve your system's performance.
But how do you go about removing adware from your computer?
Removing adware, in many cases, can be done with the installation of anti-spyware programs.
If you believe you are infected with adware, the easiest way to detect and remove it is by the use of anti-spyware software or scanning software. Unfortunately, some of the supposed adware-removal programs that exist are of doubtful quality, or give inflated numbers of detection warnings to encourage sales, or even install their own adware. If the ads seem to pop up randomly, or if you see programs starting up in the Windows system tray that were not there before you downloaded free software, you may want to check your system for adware or spyware with a program like Microsoft's free Windows Defender.
There are many free adware removal tools out there but the two programs that work well for removing this software are SpyBot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft’s Ad-aware. Anti-spyware software is a different tool from anti-virus software but operates in much the same way, by scanning the hard drive looking for files associated with known adware programs.
Like antivirus software, spyware removal software relies on current information to protect you from the newest spyware packages; therefore it is crucial to keep adware removal products up-to-date for them to be effective
Removing adware from your computer is crucial as it tends to slow down system resources and bring your computer tasks to a crawl. Adware has also been known to change system settings. Although removing adware may seem challenging there are good free programs that will help get the job done.
Please remember, before downloading any "free" program from the internet, be sure to read the licensing agreement.
