Adware and spyware are not necessarily the same thing, though these terms are often used interchangeably. Both, however, can be bothersome, as they tend to slow down computers while increasing pop-ups and advertisements. Here are some suggestions for removing spyware as well as some clarification on the differences between spyware and adware.
Adware refers to software that is supported by advertisements (usually banner ads or pop-up ads). Such sofware is generally free and downloadable from the Internet. While this type of software is not really harmful, too many adware programs (read that as free programs supported by advertisements) installed on the same computer can cause a computer to slow down significantly.
Spyware is a much broader category referring to any malicious software that may partially take over part of a computer without the user’s consent. Thus, there is a fine line between adware and spyware, as many users probably wouldn’t consent to some of the activity caused by certain programs they downloaded innocently. As a preventative measure, if downloading free software, it’s best to read the terms and conditions and/or FAQ (frequently asked questions) to know if adware is involved.
Some spyware, however, is blatantly installed without users’ consent. This spyware often can monitor activity and Internet browsing habits to deliver unsolicited advertisements. And worse yet, certain spyware may try and capture personal information. It can be difficult to determine what kind of spyware your computer may have. Thus, it’s best to avoid all types.
Here are three different free programs designed for the removal of adware / spyware:
1) For Spybot Search & Destroy, click here. Spybot is probably the least intuitive and/or user friendly of the three listed here, though its ability to find and remove adware / spyware is top notch.
2) For Ad-Aware Personal Edition, click here. Ad-Aware is more user friendly than Spybot, though it doesn’t necessarily catch everything Spybot does. In cases where a computer has excessive spyware, it may be advantageous to install both programs.
3) For Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta (“Beta” meaning that it’s still in testing), click here. Microsoft’s solution is by far the most user friendly and comprehensive. It also has some nice touches, such as a threat meter, which tells you how much of a threat each piece of spyware is as well as gives you a brief description. The only disadvantage to Microsoft’s solution at this point is its intrusiveness. The program likes to run constantly in the background and give you update messages daily. Much of this can be turned off in the advanced settings.
If you need help installing or running any of these applications, each of the links above have more information. It should also be noted that there are other anti-spyware programs available outside of these three, which may also work well.
Adware na spyware si lazima kitu kimoja, ingawa maneno haya ni mara nyingi kutumika kwa kubadilishana. Hata hivyo, zote mbili zinaweza kusumbua, kwa kuwa hufanya kompyuta ziwe polepole huku zikiongeza madirisha na matangazo ya biashara. Hapa ni baadhi ya mapendekezo kwa ajili ya kuondoa spyware kama vile baadhi ya ufafanuzi juu ya tofauti kati ya spyware na adware. Adware inahusu programu ambayo inasaidiwa na matangazo (kwa kawaida matangazo ya bendera au matangazo ya pop-up). Kwa kawaida programu hizo ni za bure na zinaweza kupakuliwa kwenye Intaneti. Ingawa programu hii si hatari sana, programu nyingi za adware (soma kwamba kama programu za bure zinazoungwa mkono na matangazo) zilizowekwa kwenye kompyuta moja zinaweza kusababisha kompyuta kupunguza kasi kwa kiasi kikubwa. Spyware ni jamii pana zaidi inayohusu programu yoyote mbaya ambayo inaweza kuchukua sehemu ya kompyuta bila idhini ya mtumiaji. Hivyo, kuna mstari mwembamba kati ya adware na spyware, kama watumiaji wengi pengine bila kukubali baadhi ya shughuli unasababishwa na programu fulani wao kupakuliwa innocently. Kama hatua ya kuzuia, kama kupakua programu ya bure, ni bora kusoma masharti na masharti na / au FAQ (maswali yanayoulizwa mara kwa mara) kujua kama adware ni kushiriki. Hata hivyo, programu fulani za ujasusi huwekwa waziwazi bila idhini ya watumiaji. Programu hii ya ujasusi mara nyingi inaweza kufuatilia shughuli na tabia za kuvinjari mtandao ili kutoa matangazo yasiyotakiwa. Na jambo baya zaidi ni kwamba programu fulani za ujasusi zaweza kujaribu kukamata habari za kibinafsi. Inaweza kuwa vigumu kujua ni aina gani ya programu-jambazi ambayo kompyuta yako inaweza kuwa nayo. Kwa hiyo, ni afadhali kuepuka aina zote. Programu tatu za bure za kuondoa spyware za adware: Spybot ni pengine chini intuitive na user-kirafiki ya tatu waliotajwa hapa, ingawa uwezo wake wa kupata na kuondoa adware spyware ni juu notch. Kwa ajili ya Ad-Aware Personal Edition, bonyeza hapa. Ad-Aware ni zaidi ya mtumiaji kirafiki kuliko Spybot, ingawa si lazima kukamata kila kitu Spybot hufanya. Katika visa ambapo kompyuta ina spyware kupita kiasi, inaweza kuwa na faida ya kufunga programu zote mbili. Kwa Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta (Beta ina maana kwamba bado ni katika majaribio), bonyeza hapa. Ufumbuzi wa Microsoft ni kwa mbali zaidi ya mtumiaji kirafiki na kina. Pia ina baadhi ya vidokezo nzuri, kama vile kipimo cha tishio, ambacho kinakuambia ni tishio gani kila kipande cha spyware na pia kinakupa maelezo mafupi. Hasara tu kwa ufumbuzi wa Microsoft katika hatua hii ni intrusiveness yake. Programu anapenda kukimbia daima katika background na kukupa ujumbe wa update kila siku. Mengi ya haya yanaweza kuzimwa katika mipangilio ya juu. Kama unahitaji msaada wa kufunga au kuendesha yoyote ya maombi haya, kila moja ya viungo hapo juu kuwa na habari zaidi. Ni lazima pia kumbuka kwamba kuna programu nyingine anti-spyware inapatikana nje ya hizi tatu, ambayo pia inaweza kufanya kazi vizuri.