Adware:
How to Beat the Sneakiest Software
by Joel Walsh
Adware is, by definition, something
reasonable people don't want on
their computers. That's why adware
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:
* 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.
* 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: adware protection
: http://www.spyware-refuge.com
