Is your usually reliable browser suddenly slow and non-reactive ? Are you bombarded with pop-up windows inviting you to install software updates, enter personal information or allow browser notifications? When you click on links to websites, are you redirected to strange sites with suspicious content ? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions ,your computer might be infected with adware.

What is an Adware

By definition, an adware is a software, malicious or not, that displays advertisements on your computer. The word “Adware” is usually used to denote malware that displays misleading advertisements, pop-up type windows, large banners and automatic full-screen advertisements on a browser. 

The name “adware” is a suitcase word referring to the words “advertising” and “software” . 

The purpose of adware is to generate revenue for its owners, which get richer every time you click on any of the ads they display. As the adware tracks all your movements on the web, it may present you with targeted ads based on your interests. 

It may even sell your browsing history to third parties. No matter whether you change browser, the adware is installed in your system and will be there regardless of the browsing application used. 

However, not all the shady ads you see online are necessarily adware. The adware resides inside your system itself from where it sends advertising messages. If you find yourself on a questionable site like an illegal streaming platform, you will see a lot of suspicious ads. If you click on any of these ads, you will likely be dealing with malware or other issues, even if they are not adware, and it’s always better to ignore any suspicious online advertising messages. 

Symptoms of an adware

If you suspect that your computer is infected with advertising, be aware of one or more of these following signs : 

• Your browser suddenly started running slower than usual and/or crashed very often. 
• Banners and advertisements appear on websites that did not previously have one. 
• Your home page has been changed and you cannot return to your regular home page.
• Each time you try to visit a site, you are redirected to a different page. 
• You see new toolbars, plugins or modules in your browser. 
• Wherever you click on the page, one or more pop-up windows will open. 
• Your computer installs unwanted applications without your permission. 

Types of adware

There are hundreds of adware programs that can affect your computer in different ways Here’s some of the most known and common ones : 

• DeskAd : DeskAd is a common advertisement that displays misleading ads on your internet browser, redirects your traffic to suspicious websites and displays pop-up ads. Unlike similar programs, DeskAd starts very quietly and gradually takes full control of your browser. This is why it is often undetected until the problem has become so serious that only an operating system reinstallation is able to solve it.

• Fireball : Developed by Rafotech, a chinese digital marketing agency, Fireball is a browser hijacker. It is associated with another software created by Rafotech, Including Mustang browser and Deal wifi , and installed with these programs without the user’s knowledge. 

When it affects your computer, it takes control of your browser. It changes your homepage to a fictitious search engine and inserts intrusive advertisements into the web pages you visit. Worse yet, it prevents you from changing your browser settings. 

• Appearch : Appearch is another very common advertisement that acts as a browser hijacker, easily associated with another free software, it inserts such a large number of advertisements into the browser that it makes browsing almost impossible. 

When you try to visit a site, you are actually redirected to Appearch.info, even if you manage to open a web page, Appearch converts random text boxes into links, and when you select text, a pop-up appears, prompting you to download software updates.  

How to prevent Adware

Given that adware can be annoying, change your internet settings, slow down your computer, etc .. you are probably wondering how you can protect your computer from adware in the future. Well, the best method of protection is prevention of course . 

Here are some simple ways you can prevent adware from finding its way onto your computer : 

• Keep updated : 

One of the best ways to prevent adware is to keep your system and programs updated. 

There are four important types of updates you want to make sure you have : Operating system updates, Internet service provider (ISP) updates, anti-virus software updates and email programs updates.

Windows and other operating systems commonly come with certain security inefficiencies. As these security holes are discovered, your operating system will come out with security patches. These are small computer programs that fix the holes in the system’s security features. Make sure that you install security updates from your operating system as soon as they become available, and check for them regularly on the company’s support/updates page. In addition, you may want to change your system’s settings to automatically check for updates if you haven’t done so already. 

• Adjust your browser settings : 

To help prevent adware from finding its way onto your computer, you might also want to adjust your internet browser’s security settings. 

• Know what you’re downloading : 

One of the most obvious and common sense ways to avoid downloading and installing unwanted adware is to pay attention to what you’re installing. When you go to download a program, especially if it’s freeware, ask yourself these questions :  

• Do I know the source of this program? Do I trust its makers ? 
• Are they credible ? 
• Do I really need this program? 

• Watch what you click : 

Another simple and obvious way to avoid adware, but one that many people don’t follow anyway is to watch what you click! It can be time consuming to read pop-up messages, and many people get in the habit of just clicking “Yes” or “Ok” to them without reading what they say. Adware and spyware publishers count on this habit. Know what you’re agreeing to before your click “Ok.

Of course, if you are going to go to the trouble of protecting your computer from adware, you may also want to learn how to remove the adware you already have and see what adware cleaners and pop-up blockers can do for you.

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