Promoters of adware, software that shows advertising on a user's
computer, 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 malware 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: 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 malware'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:
o What will this software actually do? Malware often comes 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.
o 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: malware 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 malware 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 sometimes you just have to fight
fire with fire.
About the author:
Joel Walsh has written a companion article on stealth tactics
used by adware: http://
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