How to Remove Adware

There are two types of adware, good and bad. The good adware is normally included in a software package that is usually distributed for free and the displayed ads are used to pay the author for the software. Good adware will only install if the user so chooses to install it, and can be easily uninstalled by the user using the add / remove programs function or uninstall program. The bad adware is actually spyware that collects data about the user and user's surfing habits to show intrusive advertisements in your web browser. Bad adware will install itself without user permission and is usually very difficult to get rid of. Bad adware will hijack your web browser and internet connection. This article will address the removal of the bad adware.

Generally, adware is any software application that displays advertisements. These advertisements can be in the form of banner advertisements, or pop-up windows. Adware gathers information about the user and passes it on to third party advertisers, usually unknown to the user. A lot of times this adware is collecting data in the background, running programs that are unseen by the user. This is information theft.

What is spyware?

Spyware and adware work hand in hand. The spyware gathers the information to send to to the advertisers that are willing to pay for this information. This information is usually used to tell the advertiser what goods and services you are likely to be interested in. Ever been to a particular web site about a certain subject then suddenly you start seeing junk e-mail coming in about this product? You might not have even given out any information to this web site. You have been infected with spyware and adware.

Spyware / adware prevention methods:

Installing a different OS (operating system) other than Windows is a good way to stop the adware. This is not always the most feasible method, probably the best if you can. Most spyware / adware is written to exploit the security flaws in the Windows OS's. Try to avoid the tool bar applications for your browser. Some are tempting and seem useful, but the bottom line is most of them are sending data about you somewhere else. Keep up with the security patches and updates for your installed software. Try to use an alternative web browser other than Internet Explorer. Install some sort of ad-blocking software. While this may not protect from the adware being installed, it is a good way to prevent the ads from annoying you.

How to remove spyware / adware.

The only way to safely remove spyware / adware is by the use of a software application that is coded specifically for spyware / adware removal. Most programs that will remove spyware, will also remove adware. You can visit this adware removal software review site at http://belsco.bezoogle.com/pp/adware/ to read about some of the adware removal software that is available.