Adware - Is It Safe?
What is Adware?Adware is a software program that you install on your computerthat displays advertisements while the program is running,either as a banner within the program or as a popup. This canbe a good thing. It helps keep the program free or low-cost forthe end user.If the program displays random advertisements without gatheringinformation about your online activities, then it's consideredsafe or ethical. You'll see the same advertisements that everyuser of the program is seeing. And the program isn't gatheringinformation about your surfing.Why Should You Have to Put up With Ads?I don't have a problem with advertisements on the Internet oreven ads within free or low cost programs.
This, in my opinion,is no different than an ad on television or in a newspaper. It'swhat keeps these things low cost and keeps businessesin business.Advertising has a purpose. It tells us about a company'sproduct. I can think of a lot of great products I've bought thatI would've never even known about if it wasn't for advertising.I do have issues with some tactics that are used. For instance,adware programs that bury deep within their EULA statement(End User License Agreement) the fact that they collectinformation about what you're doing while you're online.Most computer users don't read the EULA, especially if it's longand full of legalese.
We should read them, but the fact is, weusually don't. Or we quickly scan them until our eyes glaze over.The advertisers may have what they consider valid reasons forgathering information about your surfing activities. Usuallyit's stated that they want to display ads in which the userwould most likely have an interest.From an advertisers point of view, that's probably a pretty goodidea. But that should be your decision whether you want them toprofile you or not.When They Cross The Line.There are also adware programs (or more specifically, the codewritten into them) that gather more than just information aboutyour surfing habits. They can send your IP address, computername, and information from web forms you've submitted to theirservers and this crosses the line to actual spyware.Strictly speaking, spyware is a program that does this"phone home" activity without your knowledge.
And when an adsupported program crosses this line, it's spyware.It shouldn't matter if they tell you in section 12,subparagraph 15, item 1.5a of their EULA or not...it's stillspyware when they do this. Put it up front in the licenseagreement. Let the user know what they're installing.Is There Any Such Thing as a Good Adware Program?One comes to mind as I write this...Eudora email client.According to their claims (and I have no reason to doubt them),their program doesn't spy on you.When you install Eudora, you fill out a user profile that youcan modify whenever you want. This profile (minus any personalinformation) is used to serve advertisements from Qualcommservers. Qualcomm is the maker of Eudora.Should You Use Ad Supported Programs?I'm not anti-adware.
I've used these programs in the past, andI'll probably use them again, but I want them to tell me whatinformation they're gathering, why they're gathering it, andwhere they're sending it.Be up front with it. Make it easy to understand. Most usersaren't lawyers. Like I said, I understand advertising and Isupport advertising...ethical advertising.After researching the company, I may decide to trust them andinstall their program. That way, I get a good program for freeand they get their advertising revenue...it can be awin/win situation.What can you do to protect yourself?Educate yourself.
Know what you're installing and using on yourcomputer. Read the EULA.Visit websites like PCPitstop.com and check out their SpywareInformation Center to learn about spyware and adware. Run theirfree online scans to keep your computer safe.Also visit websites like Safer-Networking.org or Lavasoft.com.Read their articles and forums. Install Spybot Search & Destroyand AdAware, which you can get for free from those websites.And, as you'll see me write over and over, back up your computerregularly..
Article courtesy of: Dennis WelchComputer Help Guide - Tutorials, Tips, Freeware ReviewsComputer Help Guide provides comprehensive guides, tutorialsand tips to help you manage and maintain your personal computer. Copyright 2005 Computer-Help-Guide.com, all rights reserved.Reprinted with permission.Beating Adware, The Sneakiest Software
Promoters of adware, software that shows advertising on a user's computer, 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 malware 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...
Beating Adware, The Sneakiest Software
Adware > Beating Adware, The Sneakiest Software
CDMWorld.com receives 5 Star Award for AdDriller Adware Removal Program.
CDMWorld.com, Inc. http://www.cdmworld.com has been awarded a five star rating from Hotsoft32.com http://www.hotsoft32.com for the CDMWorld application of the adware removal program called AdDriller, http://www.addriller.com released on October 6, 2004.AdDriller is a new generation of adware removal program. The AdDriller program will analyze the files on any 32 bit Windows computer, analyze the processes that are currently running in main memory, as well as registry contents of the computer.Certain malicious software will make a computer run slower, stop it from functioning properly or even remove important documents from it, sometimes resulting in major data loss. This malicious software is detected by AdDriller http://www.addriller.com and an attempt to remove it is...
CDMWorld.com receives 5 Star Award for AdDriller Adware Removal Program.
Adware > CDMWorld.com receives 5 Star Award for AdDriller Adware Removal Program.
Eliminate Adware and Spyware
Everyone should eliminate spyware and adware from your hard drive for your computer privacy protection. Spyware and adware programs also slow down the speed of your computer by cluttering your hard drive with annoying programs. Once you eliminate adware and spyware, your computer speed will improve immediately. Spyware compromises the security of your personal information because the creators of these hidden programs can get access to your desktop even while you are offline.
Adware creates annoying pop ups while you use the Internet.
It can change your home page and even hijack certain pages to display their own messages, which are sometimes obscene. One of the most effective ways to stop spyware and adware is the use of computer firewall protection. These programs eliminate incoming spyware and adware that is attached to the legitimate data that you download when surfing the web.
Some computer firewall protection programs display the number of attempted 'hacks',...
Adware > Eliminate Adware and Spyware
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Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
On December 8, 2004 Webroot, an award winning anti-spyware solution provider, released a press release identifying the ten most significant emerging spyware and adware threats. Most of these you probably haven't heard of and a few may surprise you.It is estimated that 9 out of 10 computers are infected with spyware, also known as, adware, scumware, malware and many others. Here's the top 10. ?PurtyScan ? popup ads that trick users into installing by claiming to find and delete pornographic images.?n-CASE - adware program that delivers targeted popup adds. This program is usually bundled with freeware.?Gator - adware program that displays banner ads based on your Web surfing habits.
This program is usually bundled with the Kazaa file-sharing program, as well as other free software programs.?CoolWebSearch ? hijacks home page, Internet Explorer settings, and Web searches.?Transponder - monitors sites visited and any data entered into online forms, and then delivers targeted ads....
Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
Adware > Top Ten Spyware and Adware Threats Identified
Adware - Should I Be Afraid Of It
Adware, Should I be Afraid?
Developers offering downloads are paying the price for the malformed truths that have been put forth regarding downloads. While not a political campaign the smears are ever present in the Adware arena.
Years ago developers saw they could monetize freeware that was becoming expensive to host. Developers began working with Ad Networks such as the former Aureate and Conducent, who imbedded advertisements in the software. The software in many cases phoned home retrieving ads.
In other cases adverts were imbedded directly into the download only being removed when the software was registered. Many well known software companies, including Netscape distributed ad supported versions, which allowed users to use the software for free. Developers were compensated either by install or the number of ads served. Advertisers welcomed new revenue streams to reach potential customers.
Adware or advertising-supported software...
Adware > Adware - Should I Be Afraid Of It