Adware is another potential threat to your computer if you use the Internet. Adware is free software that is installed onto your computer with your permission and can be in the form of software that is used to automatically fill in web forms. In exchange for this free software you receive a software application that displays advertisements. These advertisements can even track your browsing and summary information so that third parties can target you via their advertising services. Although it is against most web policies and laws, you may not want to download the free software that you downloaded from the computer to your computer. Adware is still in the form of software that can install itself on your computer, and it works when you visit certain websites.
Adware is not the same as spyware. Adware is usually considered a legitimate alternative offered by software companies to consumers who do not want to pay for a software application. However, to developers of malicious software, advertising revenue is one of the most attractive targets of all their malicious efforts. Adware is any definition of software that displays advertisements to you While spyware steals information from your computer and uses it to send advertisements to you, adware is a different concept. It is usually a separate program that is installed into your computer and takes up more system resources. That is why your computer is slower than usual or you encounter strange error messages.
Some Adware Programs Are Good, Some Are Bad
Although error messages and slow performance is a clear sign that your computer has been infected, some adware programs are benign and even useful. Some programs you can download from the Internet are legitimately free. These programs are called adware but share no interface or functionalities with the paid software. Rogue adware programs can be installed, simply by visiting a website that is a hotbed of trojan viruses and worms.
The Good
The good adware programspxhould allow you to make a purchase and quickly remove any malicious adware that is infecting your computer. The good disposable softwarewins0ught to monitor your computer on a periodic basis and update itself with the latest definitions of harmful adware.
The Bad
Trojan viruses, worms and malicious adware that can infect your computer through a variety of infecting methods. Also, unwanted software that installs itself on your computer and continually runs itself on your computer, eating up your resources and slowing down your computer.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all internet users know how to protect their computers from internet security threats.
The following tips are appropriate for Windows XP computers:
1. Do not download any file or folder from an unknown source.
2. Do not open any email from someone that you do not know or that is whom you do not know.
3. Do not run unknown e-mail attachments unless you are sure they are safe.
4. Use scanning for viruses on any computer that is connected to the Internet.
5. Delete any file that is downloaded by an automatic method from an unknown source.
6. Ensure that the Windows Update and Windows Media Player plug-ins are installed.
7. Play safe with websites that you visit and download products from.
If you can change the behavior of your web browser you can improve your internet security. For example, using Firefox to surf the web will reduce the chances of your computer being infected with malicious softwarebecause users of Mozilla Firefox are used to being victimized by adware and spyware. It is easier for malware developers to target a specific browser because there are less security holes in the software.
