Adware: Are Your Business's Computers Secure?
Adware, software dedicated to displaying advertising, can really
slow down any business that depends on computers. Adware
promoters use some cunning tricks to get you to install their
software on your machine. Here's what to look out for.
Adware is, by definition, something reasonable people don't want
on their computers. That's why adware can't just come out and
ask people to install it. Often, the computer owner is
completely unaware of it being installed. But not always.
When adware doesn't want to sneak in through an open window, it
will try to trick you into letting it in through the front door.
Don't think you could be tricked? Don't be so sure until you've
checked out these most common ways people have been tricked into
allowing malware to be installed on their machines.
Adware Installation Trick 1: Piggybacking
How it works: malware may come bundled with a legitimate piece
of software the user actually wants, such as a game or emoticon.
The malware is merely labeled "companion software," without any
indication of what it will do.
How to fight it: the fact that adware so often comes bundled
with "entertainment" software, most notably the file-swapping
program Kazaa, is a very good reason to separate business from
personal when it comes to computing. But adware can sometimes
comes bundled with non-entertainment software, such as search
tools or cracks of legitimate business software. Be very
suspicious of any software that comes bundled with other
software. Don't installed software that comes bundled with other
software unless you know everything that the bundled software
does. After all, if the bundled program has anything to do with
the program you actually want, why couldn't the software
developer just get both programs' functionalities into a single
piece of software? Software developers are now very sensitive to
malware concerns and will provide a lengthy explanation of just
why the bundled software is necessary, in the cases when they
actually do need to use bundled software.
Adware Installation Trick 2: Bait and Switch
How it works: since people are getting more and more suspicious
of bundled software, the program's developers may simply label
it as valuable software, for instance, a browser plugin that
supposedly accelerates web browsing (but in reality only shows
ads).
How to fight it: again, a suspicious mind is useful in avoiding
malware. Ask yourself some questions:
* What will this software actually do? Adware and adware-bundled
software often come with very fuzzy claims attached. Sure, it
says it will improve your browsing experience, but how? Often,
this improved browsing experience just means a browsing
experience with more advertising.
* If the software is so great, why is it being given away free?
Most commonly, software is only given out free in two cases: if
it's OpenSource (designed by a community of developers and not
proprietary-OpenSource software is always clearly labeled as
such); or simply a come-on for a fuller-featured version of the
software. If neither case is true, there's a real chance the
software is financed by adware.
Adware Installation Trick 3: Outright Lying
How it works: adware may even be labeled as something else
entirely, such as a well-known piece of software or a crucial
component of the computer operating system.
How to fight it: this is the trickiest adware of all, and
requires extreme caution. You don't want to start deleting any
of your program files, much less your system registry entries,
unless you're absolutely sure it's malware. Plenty of
overzealous parasite hunters have shot their own machines to
bits this way. This is one case where you want to be using an
anti-spyware program, and preferably a second anti-spyware
program to provide a second opinion.
Getting Rid of Adware
Adware is so tricky that trying to uninstall it by yourself
could be like a trip into the Matrix. Luckily, there are good
anti-spyware programs that tackle adware as well-after all many
adware programs are also spyware since they monitor your
internet usage.
True, it may feel like adding insult to injury to have to
install more software to get rid of software you never meant to
install in the first place. But keeping your computer free of
adware is just one new cost of doing business.
About the author:
Joel Walsh has written a companion article on stealth tactics
used in adware installation at: http://www.spyware-refuge.com
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