Adware is malware that was created to constantly bombard you with advertisement, redirect your browsing searches to ads, and consistently collecting marketing-type data from your browsing history. This information is shared with third-parties to specify and target personalized advertisements to each user directly.
Traits of Adware:
- Endless pop-ups – many can often be traps to actually infect you with adware by making you think you have it in the first place.
- Slowing down your computer.
- Using spyware to track your activity, both on and off-line.
- Using trusted applications to display advertisements – this will make you feel like you are being served trusted sources, but really your information is being sent to third parties.
- Eating up data.
Common Examples of Adware:
- SpyTrooper – is particularly sticky. It will display your desktop wallpaper as a warning message and has no uninstall features.
- Deskad – starting off slow, it will sneakily infect your and constantly redirect you to malicious websites.
How to Avoid an Aware Infection:
- Do run a routine FixMeStick scan.
- Do clear your web browser often.
- Do pay attention to what you are downloading onto your computer.
- Do use a pop-up blocker.
- Do run your antivirus software while working on your device.
- Don’t click on pop-ups.
- Don’t open email attachments from unknown senders or strange emails.
- Don’t visit suspicious websites.
Want to learn more about the different types of computer viruses? Check out other blogs in our Virus Lab series below!
What is Malware and Why Does it Exist?
What is a Virus?
What is a Worm?
What is Ransomware?