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://www.spyware-refuge.com/?%20adware%20protection |
