Adware

What exactly is Adware?

Adware is a software application that can show advertisements on your computer in the form of pop-ups, pop-unders, and banner ads. Usually they disrupt the user -- giving an option to either continue on the web or click the pop up. Certain Adwares have the ability to track down the surfing habits of any user, without prior knowledge or consent, thus being a threat to your own security since it is being sent to unauthorized parties.

How does it work?

Adware applications technically run in the background of the computer and function as a spy watching all your moves. The information gathered will then be logged and used to create a user profile that is relayed to advertisers. The user profile may include unrelated personal information too and then sent to a data collection site. It is extracted on to narrow online search results to match the profile or, as a data mining tool, to evaluate the surfing habits.

Adware attacks usually start by attaching it to an installed program like a freeware, software that is available for free. Freeware installers inadvertently sign up for unlimited pop-up ads supply.

Common examples of freeware that may include Adware are computer games, unusual mouse pointers, instant news or weather updates, applications boasting to improve efficiency of your computer, and even the smileys being used on e-mails.

What can you do?

You can block unwanted ads by installing a reputable Adware scanning and removal tool. Make sure that you update it with the latest version because new versions of Adware are cropping up in as short as a week’s time.

Mailware

What is Mailware?

Have you had enough of those unwanted pop-ups that are a source of endless annoyance while surfing the net? Even your mails are being bugged by those pop-ups from authors that are investing a wide range of targets for advertisements. They make big money but at a great price for you and your computer.

How it works?

Mailware generally dwells on your mailbox, as what the term suggests. It may come in the form of spam on your mail or even disguise through the popular chain letters. Once the Mailware has entered your mail server, it starts to generate information that can be easily traced by spammers or the creators of Mailware. When you respond to these Mailwares, the authors will have an automatic confirmation on your address and would continue on sending you spam and more spam. Mailwares are mainly characterized by usually strange unsolicited commercial e-mail and bulk e-mail. The targets are usually targets individual users with direct bulk email or from online services that provide bulk email.

A variation of this is sending spam to mailing lists, either public or private email discussion forums. Since several mailing lists draws line to their subscribers’ activity, spammers will take advantage of automated tools to subscribe to as many mailing lists as possible. Thus, they are able to get the lists of addresses, or use the mailing list as a direct target.