Adware is something not many people will know by name and yet it targets devices all over the world.
Adware is a form of software that displays adverts on your computer whilst you are online. It collects marketing data and other kinds of information from your online activity and can redirect your search requests to certain websites that have paid to be advertised, but are rarely the best suited to your search or the most reliable. This data is then used to tailor the adverts you see to things your browsing history suggests you are interested in, making you more likely to click the link.
Adware that does not let you know that it is sharing your information is regarded as a threat to your device. It most often infects your device via other infected websites, or through freeware and shareware programs. So if you have ever noticed an online ad for something similar to a recent search you’ve made, chances are you’ve been a victim of adware.
Here are a few tips courtesy of Syntax IT Support London to help you keep the digital pest at bay.
PC Cleaners
Luckily there are lots of programs out there dedicated to hunting down and deleting adware from your devices. One of the more popular programs is ADW Cleaner 6.0, which searches specifically for adware and other unwanted software and instantly removes them, making your browsing experience better and safer.
Keeping up to date
By keeping up with the latest patches and updates on both your PC and your anti-virus software, you are giving yourself the safest possible experience when using your device. Companies like Apple and Microsoft are constantly updating their software to make sure it’s smoother, faster and more secure than ever before, so make sure not to fall behind and put yourself at risk with outdated security.
A good tip is to change your PC settings so that it searches for updates automatically, making sure you never again put yourself at risk of adware.
Browser security and privacy
Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer, your browser will have security settings that you should definitely familiarise yourself with. If your PC has a lot of important work documents saved onto it, it might be a good idea to crank up the privacy on your device to make it as difficult as possible for adware and other dubious programs to break through.
Dangerous downloading
It’s always good practice to exercise caution when downloading something online, even if it comes from an email you believe you can trust. Getting you to accept a download is the easiest way for software such as adware to work its way into your computer’s system, so always be absolutely certain you trust the file before hitting ‘download’.
Risks of phishing
Always make sure to check where your emails have come from, and whether you believe the contents. Remember, emails from large corporations such as eBay, Amazon, PayPal and banks will never ask for your personal information or to verify your log in details out of the blue. If you open an email with a log in button or a link, don’t click on it. Instead copy the link into google and see what searches it pulls up.
Stay backed up
If the worst happens and some really nasty software make its way onto your PC you don’t want to lose everything. It’s a really smart idea to keep a back-up of all your data so make sure even if you do lose your device to a virus, you don’t lose all its valuable contents too. You can buy yourself a hard drive or utilise cloud base systems to make sure your information is safe.
