Adware Infestation on the internet

One of the problems that you've heard of on the internet is adware. According to studies adware has been increasing and it is even available in programs that we use in our everyday lives. And the scary part is that legitimate businesses and companies are getting involved more and more in this practise of spreading ad-ware. According to pcpitstop.com businesses and homes have been suffering from an almost consistent increase in ad-ware on computers. Ad-ware is mostly spread in the form of freeware that can be downloaded from the internet.

Now adware are so common that at times we don't even realize what it is and it is no longer as easy as it used to be to combat adware. 

According to wikipedia ad-ware is defined as "Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertisements to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used. Some types of adware are also spyware and can be classified as privacy-invasive software." - Wikipedia.org

This classifies a lot of software as ad-ware and a good amount of them even privacy invasive.

Adware can cause a lot of damage such as causing problems with system performance on your computer. It can decrease productivity on a computer and can be downright annoying.

A list of a few common software that would contain ad-ware are as follows:
1. Yahoo Messenger
2. AOL Instant Messenger
3. ICQ
4. IncrediMail
5. Kazaa
6. 123 Messenger
7. DivX 6.8.3.18

amongst others.

This will become an increasingly big problem for both people who use home computers and businesses alike as the internet continues to expand with more an more domains registered daily.

However part of the good news is that along with the spread of adware many companies have also started developing ad-ware and spy-ware removers.

Some of which are:

1. Ad-ware alert
2. NoAdware.net

Before the only way that a computer could get infected with ad-ware was through free downloads of programs but today as technology has involved there are more and more risks from ad-ware. Some of the other ways in which a computer may be infected with ad-ware is through running a movie or a video on the internet, Just going to certain bad websites, and even just answering about downloading and installing a program.

There are many ways to make yourself less prone to being affected by ad-ware such as:

1. Not downloading suspicious freely downloadable software.
2. Doing a little background research prior to downloading software (visiting forums, doing a basic google search) etc.
3. Don't go to suspicious websites and do a little prior research prior to going to any such suspicious websites.
4. Changing your ActiveX controls so that you are prompted when an unsigned Activex control is being downloaded. (this can be done in the options or tools menu of most browsers).
5. Being prepared in advance with adware removing programs such as:

1. Ad-ware alert
2. NoAdware.net

The internet is a great source of information and entertainment however be cautious of ad-ware at all times. Wish you all safe surfing...