Adware and Spyware

What is Adware and Spyware?

Adware or advertising-supported software is any software package which automatically plays, displays, or downloads advertising material to a computer after the software is installed on it or while the application is being used. Some types of adware are also spyware and can be classified as privacy-invasive software.

Spyware is computer software that is installed surreptitiously on a personal computer to intercept or take partial control over the user's interaction with the computer, without the user's informed consent.

So how do I remove it?

There are several programs on the market to help eliminate adware or spyware from your computer.  We use Spybot which is a free program used to remove and protect your computer from re-infection of these programs.

Spybot delivers useful tools such as an e-mail list of opt-out addresses to stop unwanted solicitations and a file shredder to securely overwrite unwanted files deleted from your PC--all of which Ad-aware Standard Edition lacks. Best of all, Spybot does it all for free. For protection against ad-serving software, Trojan horses, and other means of tracking your surfing habits, get Spybot immediately.

These programs can leave your computer vulernable to outside hackers or servers who can attack your hard drive and steal your personal files.  To prevent this we advise our customers to use Zone Alarm.  Another free program for the basic version which will prevent incoming or outgoing data transmissions without your concent.

ZoneAlarm^®, a Check Point Software Technologies, Inc. Company, is one of the most secure brands in consumer Internet security. ZoneAlarm protects over 60 million PCs from viruses, spyware, hackers and identity theft. The award-winning Internet security product line is installed in consumer PCs and small businesses, protecting them from Internet threats. The ZoneAlarm family of products is among the most popular and successful Internet security products available on the market.

These products include the ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite -- The Most Complete Internet Security Solution. With multiple layers of protection, the ZoneAlarm firewall detects, monitors, and prevents hackers from damaging your PC and stealing your identity. With over 30 million users worldwide, ZoneAlarm is the industry-leading PC firewall.