Is All Adware Harmful?

The common misconception amongst many computer users is that all adware is harmful. Adware, also known as “add supported software,” is a software program that installs itself on a computer with the intention to target advertisements to a user depending on that user’s actions on the Internet.

Intentional Adware

Anything added to a download or a program for an intentional use by the computer user could have adware bundled together with it.

Many “Free” software programs downloaded are free with the condition that the person downloading them agrees to allow another added program to track him and show advertisement pop-ups, which he may or may not click on. This is legal and ethical so long as the user of the “free” software gives permission to the adware to do so.

Malicious Adware

This type of adware is harmful to the user or his computer. It downloads itself along with another program and installs itself without the knowledge of the user.

It then proceeds to spy on him and in most cases send information back to the maker of the program. The problem with this type of adware is the information sent is usually personal or private information such as logins, passwords, banking information and so on.

Symptoms of Malicious Adware

The main symptom of malicious adware is the pop-up used to display the advertisements. Unlike intentional adware, the pop-ups associated with malicious malware are usually virus ridden and/or contain obscene photos or messages, such as an explicit advertisement for a pornographic website.

Many of these pop-ups run using infected Flash code and proceed to infect the entire computer. Some will attempt to get the user to click on a link and the website at the end of the link is infected.

Yet others will attempt to get the user to purchase a program, such as the bogus anti-virus programs, by scaring the user into thinking he is infected with viruses.

Removing Malicious Adware

If you find your computer is trying to get you to visit a pornographic website, or if you see many more advertisements than you agreed to watching in exchange for that free program you downloaded, it is more than likely that you have encountered a malicious version of adware.

If this is the case, you can attempt to remove the program using the “Add/Remove” portion of the Control Panel, which you will find on the left of the “Start” menu.

However, just because the adware is gone does not mean the infection that came with it is gone too. For this, you will need to download a program that is meant specifically to remove adware.

Otherwise, contacting an IT professional may be the best bet. Because some of the current adware programs can do a lot of damage to an operating system and are very difficult to remove.