Adware awareness: Keep your systems safe21 December 2005
Although never far from the IT industry's concerns, adware, spyware and malware have hit headlines over the last few weeks as one of the world's biggest technology names has found itself caught up in a security scandal.
Sony has come under a barrage of criticism as a result of its extended copyright protection (XCP) system applied to some of its CDs. Many record labels use similar technology but Sony's contained "rootkit" capabilities, which meant it was hidden from PC user's view.
Functioning at a low level of the operating system and is therefore difficult to detect, and it is this quality that was exploited by hackers to infect computers with adware and its more sinister siblings, spyware and malware.
What is adware?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software, which is a software that allows the automatic play, display and download commercial advertisements onto a computer while it is running. Adware tends to be integrated into programmes and can help to lower end user programme costs as the developer can use it to recoup expenses. Pop-up advertisements and being continually redirected to other web pages can be highly annoying, but there is a darker side to adware.
Irritation factors aside, adware causes concern because it can take the form of spyware and monitor a user's personal information. For instance, if a user agrees to a tracking feature of an adware programme it becomes spyware as soon as another user interacts with the computer. Adware can also take the form of malware, which is a malicious software that disrupts its victim's computer, damaging files and installed programmes.
How to remove it?
Because of the potential for adware to take more dangerous forms it is important to recognise its presence and take the necessary measures to remove it. There are a number of downloads and programmes available that will scan a PC for adware and remove it. A good choice for blanket protection from spyware and other disruptions such as spam and viruses, Symantec offers the Norton Internet Security 2006 package. Adawear also offers one of the most well known adware and spyware removal programmes called NoAdware.
In order to avoid falling victim to irritating adware and the potentially costly spyware and malware it can help to install it is important to stick to a couple of basic principles in your computer use.
- Only download from the internet or open email attachments you are sure you can trust not to contain malicious programmes and train staff members to be vigilant when it comes to installing programmes and software on their PCs.
- Keep security programmes such as anti-virus programmes and firewalls up to date, it is a good idea to organise a package that includes the various security measures required such as BT Internet Security Pack.
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