Adware and Malwares

[Designer225]

Just posting this since I've attacked by an adware... thrice (three times), one in IE, another in Chrome, and another in Firefox, and had to quarantine the adware (since removing it apparently doesn't work).

Now that got me thinking: What's the relation between adware and malwares? I could think of one in which adware advertises certain malicious software that contains malicious malwares.

[Guest]

Adware is a form of malware, or malicious software. Adware is any program that uses advertising to pay for the software. Malware can be anything from harmless adware to keyloggers, redirects, or hijackers. It is frustrating when one encounters these things, but they can all usually be avoided by paying close attention to what you download and where you download it from. Most adware type applications will have checkboxes located in the installation process that allow you to uncheck things like toolbars and attached bloatware.

Edit : for further discussion : you can usually remove unwanted adware in the form of toolbars by going to the control panel - programs and features - and sort by date. Look for the most recent entries that you either do not recognize or don't know what the hell they are and then right clicking and choosing uninstall. Further steps may be necessary such as removing unwanted startup items. CCleaner from pinform is a invaluable tool for easily removing these startup entries. Once cleanup is done, and the system is stabilized, registry cleanup may be necessary in order to remove what I call "ghosts" or unused keys. CCleaner is also effective for this. Bonus : CCleaner is free! They also have a paid version, and like any other piece of free software, they may try to trick you into installing unnecessary crap. Pay attention during the CCleaner installation process for those little checkboxes.

Edited March 29, 2014 by Otis