Should I attempt adware removal myself?

Adware removal can't really be attempted if you don't know the dangers that lurk. In the global and faceless Internet environment, dangers are everywhere and they often pop up where and when least expected. Adware isn't something you want, but it can attach itself to your system like a pariah...laying in wait and unleashing its annoyances until adware removal is a success.

Just as the old adage says, nothing is free, and sometimes this even includes free software. Unfortunately, in the competitive advertising market, many so-called free software programs often come with a heavy price...adware. If you use programs such as KaZaA, Opera or GrokSter, adware removal can be virtually impossible without disabling the program itself. With other, often less popular freeware applications, your system can be completely cleaned of adware components by using a safe, effective adware removal tool such as Spyware Doctor.

Keeping your PC clean of adware and spyware can be a laborious task so the best defense might be preventing the need for adware removal in the first place. There are a few steps you can take to help protect your computer from adware and its many annoyances.

Adware Removal Tips

First, make sure your computer has all of the updates necessary to keep its operating system at optimum levels. Security patches and application updates can prevent malicious components from infiltrating your system without your knowledge. As with any unwanted virus or application, adware removal after infestation is always more difficult than preventing it. In fact, most users are completely unaware that adware is even on their system.

Second, while adware isn't really considered a virus in the popular sense of the word, you should certainly keep your virus definitions up to date and use a reliable firewall. Unlike adware removal that completely eliminates the application, this will prevent any adware from communicating with third parties and keep dangerous hackers at bay as well.

Third, be sure to read the end user license agreements that come with software applications before you install any program onto your computer system. While the language can be quite verbose, some will interlace verbiage that you give them permission to install adware onto your system and that adware removal shouldn't be attempted.

Typically, if a software program asks or grants itself permission via a licensing statement, the adware installed is relatively safe. While incredibly intrusive and annoying, it's intent isn't to be malicious. However, other programs may have adware components that are unfriendly and potentially hazardous to your operating system. Ideally, never put yourself in a position where you might need adware removal. Trusted programs such as Spyware Doctor can ensure that adware and spyware stay out of your way and off your computer. After all, adware removal won't even be an issue if it can't penetrate the watchful eye of an adware buster.

How ad ware delivers advertising you never meant to see!

If you've never heard of ad ware or aren't sure what the uproar is all about, then this article is a must-read. In this day and age, targeting consumers on the Internet has become international warfare. In a perfect world, traditional advertising methods would reign, but in the faceless computing age, some companies will go all out to make sure that prospective buyers see their ads first. As a result, ad ware has evolved to become an insidious and often potentially harmful method of sneaking ads into to your computer.

So what is ad ware? Simply stated, ad ware is a small piece of software that works through a program installed for unrelated use. Most often found in freeware, ad ware will automatically install an additional component that supplies a stream of advertisements to your computer without your consent.

Ad ware can also work by pointing your browser homepage to a site that feeds even more advertising. Worst of all, ad ware operates without your permission and often without your knowledge. By embedding itself in some obscure file directory, most computer users never even know that ad ware is rampant on their system.

Not only is ad ware incredibly annoying, especially if you can't find the reason why it is happening, but it often causes system anomalies and program incompatibilities that can do damage to your computer and legitimate applications. In addition, if the ad ware you inadvertently installed hijacks your start page or toolbar, then reconfiguring your system settings can often be difficult.

Further complicating matters is the fact that the typical computer user can't locate the source of the problem and even if they think they've deleted the ad ware application, it often returns on the next restart! Without an ad ware removal tool such as SpyWare Doctor, the changes it can make to a system characteristically surpasses the average user's technical capabilities.

Removing ad ware can prove to be even more difficult than putting up with its existence on your computer. Oftentimes, the glitches it causes in a system will prevent a user from being able to access the control areas to configure settings. In addition, once it is successfully removed, the program responsible for the ad ware will be incapable of running without the ad ware component. Thus, you're forced to abandon a program you like or left to deal with the onslaught of advertising this menace can cause.

Ad ware and spy ware are both programs that people won't search out with interest, but that's not to say they aren't out there. While ad ware typically associates itself with freeware, avoiding free downloads off the Internet isn't too practical for the typical computer user. This is where SpyWare Doctor comes in.

PC Tools Spyware Doctor (Prevent & Cure PC Diseases )

We all know that malware is a threat to our PC’s well-being, but we don’t want to have to think about that on a daily basis. Instead, we need a product that can intercept malicious attacks and diagnose online threats all at once, so we’re not hyper-conscious of what could happen to corrupt our OS at any given moment.

PC Tools Spyware Doctor ($29.95; www.pctools.com) keeps your Windows PC on lockdown against numerous threat variants, such as spyware, Trojans, keyloggers, and worms. To protect your PC from exposure, Spyware Doctor employs the IntelliGuard feature, which provides real-time monitoring and protection of the hard drive, email attachments, and Web browser. If something tries to get in, IntelliGuard doesn’t simply alert you; it also actively blocks malware before it can harm your computer.

The IntelliScan function uses spider-scanning technology to identify suspicious activity and stop potential attacks within roughly three minutes. More complex viral programs require heavy artillery, so Spyware Doctor uses advanced behavioral methods and rootkits to dig up the stealthy viruses that lurk in the recesses of a Windows PC.

To function effectively, Spyware Doctor silently monitors your system while you continue to use the interface. If a serious attack has been deflected, Spyware Doctor will alert the end user through a small pop-up window. So, if you prefer uninterrupted working or movie-watching, Spyware Doctor won’t bother you. You can, however, adjust settings by enabling Full Screen Detection Mode and Smart Updates to your liking.

Email Guard, which supports Outlook Express, Netscape, and Thunderbird, eliminates both spyware and viruses that are transferred via email message. Site Guard scans questionable Web sites and safeguards against phishing. PC Tools Spyware Doctor is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32- and 64-bit).

How to Remove Spyware

As there are so many variants of spyware threats, it is highly recommended that you use an anti-spyware software product (plenty of free versions listed in the Downloads section). Anti-spyware software carries a database of all-known threats, so a system scan will detect all traces and know how best to remove them. There are many free applications which will do a good job at keeping your system clean, as long as the internal database is kept up to date.

There is no harm in installing more than one anti-spyware solution (as long as they don't run at the same time), so it is worth downloading a couple of the more popular applications to make sure that your PC is covered from all angles. If you suspect that you have an infection or you are performing a weekly checkup, simply run each anti-spyware package, update the internal database and perform a full scan. Automatic removal is very simple in most cases.

If you are unable to remove the spyware automatically, look up the name of the spyware that is causing a problem in the spyware database for manual removal instructions. Be sure to backup your system before implementing any changes, as some removals require registry modifications which can cause problems if performed incorrectly. It is very rare that a spyware infection will require a total computer format, but some more resilient infections may require this type of manual removal.

What is Spyware?

Spyware is often installed as part of a 3rd party software package, without the users knowledge. Once installed, the software then proceeds to gather information about the users browsing habits and can sometimes monitor and track other personal information. Spyware has now become a broad term for any software operating without the users consent, which somehow benefits a 3rd party. Some direct effects include:

• Adding affiliate links to shopping portals
• Monitoring internet activity
• Install other 3rd party applications
• Adding new homepages, icons and favorite links
• Identity Theft
• Sluggish PC

Many systems are infected with Spyware/Adware without being noticed and attempts to remove the software is often difficult to achieve for the average user. The companies that distribute Spyware software often claim that the end user agreed to this monitoring whilst installing a certain software application (often browser toolbars and extensions). However, large and complex user agreements distort the real actions of the spyware.

Microsoft Windows and the Internet Explorer browser are the primary targets for Spyware, simply because they are the software of choice for the majority of people. Using an alternative operating system or browser may help reduce the risk of spyware, but only because it is less common (not necessarily because it is more secure). Downloading and running applications from the internet is the most popular route of infection, however browser exploits and some viruses may also install spyware components.

If you find that you have unwanted advertisements appearing whilst you are using your computer (often gambling or pornography related) or unwanted toolbars in your browser, the chances are you have some form of spyware infection.

This malicious use of a PC with spyware is frowned upon, however an extremely profitable business for a select few. Website owners can be paid as much as $0.50 per install of an ActiveX control containing Spyware, which makes this attractive to nefarious sites such as illegal/cracking/hacking/pornographic website's.

Once users have been educated that they must take sensible precautions when using the internet and downloading software, it is often straight forward to remove the Spyware threat with the correct tools. A recent trend is for some Spyware products to distribute themselves as Spyware Removal Tools - which of course can be extremely harmful. It is important to combine effective Anti-Spyware tools with other Anti-Virus and Firewall applications for all round PC protection. - a single application will not protect from all 3 threats.