Malware Prevention Tip #3

August 14th, 2005

Adware is software and software elements that download to your PC while you are surfing the web. They can take the form of cookies, Active X controls, java applications, and a number of other types. These software elements save information about you, and some “phone home” to web servers that want to track your internet activities. Adware can sometimes install itself without your knowledge and sometimes you install it inadvertantly by clicking on pop up windows that promise everything from a virus free computer, to viagra or worse.

Even some of the most well known and supposedly safe web sites install Adware elements when you surf to their pages. The problem with these are that they take up space on your computer, they use up system resources and they report information about you that you may not want anyone else to know. I call it simply an invasion of privacy.

You pick up these little “bugs” every time you surf the internet. So I recommend that once a week you run an Adware removal utility to keep these “insects” at bay.

I use Lavasoft’s Adaware SE Personal Edition. You can download it here.

After you have downloaded the file to your desktop so you can find it, double click on the downloaded file and follow the instructions to install. During the install process you will be asked if you want to check for updates. Do this so that the software is checking your computer based on the most currently available adware signatures. This is just like anti-virus software and its important to keep these adware definitions up to date.

Now run the software and scan your computer for adware threats. When the scan is complete, highlight all the found threats and click the next button and the program will remove them from your computer.

There you are all cleaned up and ready to surf again. Remember to run the software weekly to keep your computer clean.

Not sure how to do this? If you need assistance cleaning adware from your computer contact BTC Consulting and we’ll help.

Next Tip: #4 Browser Hijacks…

Entry Filed under: Client Tips, Malware