How To Remove Adware From Your Computer

Adware can cause performance issues and unwanted ads on your computer. Some types of adware can even collect your personal information. To protect your personal information, you need to remove as much adware from your computer as possible. To remove adware from your computer, you should back up your files, download adware removal software and remove any unnecessary programs.

Continue reading to learn more about adware, why adware is dangerous, how to remove adware from your computer and how to prevent adware from infecting your computer.

What is adware?

Adware is a type of spyware that secretly installs on your computer and displays unwanted advertisements. Many adware creators and distributors use adware to generate revenue whenever someone views or clicks on the advertisement. Some forms of adware will collect information about your online activity to send you personalized ads. Threat actors can use adware to collect and then sell your data to third-party advertisers without your consent. They can also use adware to send you malicious advertisements that trick you into installing malware on your computer.

Is adware dangerous?

Adware is not inherently dangerous because it was created to display ads for legitimate software and help creators make money. Companies can use adware to promote their products online to users. Adware allows creators to gather information about people and display personalized ads to them. However, adware can frequently display unwanted ads which can slow down the performance of your device. The way adware is installed can be considered unethical as it is often secretly installed. 

Adware is often installed onto a user’s computer without their knowledge. Adware creators and distributors use underhanded techniques to trick users into installing adware without their consent. They will hide adware either disguised as legitimate software by itself or bundled with legitimate software to secretly install onto a user’s computer. They will even trick users into agreeing to install adware by hiding the agreement to install adware in the terms and conditions or pre-populated check boxes. Some hackers will also install adware by exploiting the security vulnerabilities of outdated software.

Threat actors can also use adware for malicious purposes. They can use adware to collect data about your online activity and sell it to third-party advertisers or on the dark web without your consent. Threat actors can also use adware to display ads that trick you into installing malware on your computer.

3 steps to remove adware from your computer

Adware poses cybersecurity risks, can track your online activity, slow down your device’s performance and cause pesky pop-ups. Here are the three steps to remove adware from your computer.

Back up your files

Backing up your files is a cybersecurity best practice that ensures you always have access to your files if you need them. When dealing with any type of malware, you should always back up your files because your files may be corrupted or lost in the process of removing malware. Your files can also be encrypted and rendered inaccessible if ransomware is installed on your computer, which is another critical reason to back them up. You should back up your files in both physical external hard drives and cloud storage.

Download adware removal software

Because adware is not always detected as malicious, you need to download specific adware removal software. Adware removal software helps you identify any adware and unwanted programs installed on your computer, regardless of whether they are safe or not. You need to download adware removal software to ensure your computer is free from any hidden adware or files that will reinstall the adware in the future. Once you have the adware removal software installed, you should run a scan of your computer to help you identify and quarantine any installed adware.

Remove any unnecessary programs

Once your adware removal software has scanned your computer and quarantined all of the adware, you need to go through the findings and remove any adware you do not recognize. You should also remove any files associated with unnecessary adware to prevent it from reinstalling in the future. You should remove as much adware as possible to ensure that your personal information does not get compromised. Once you have gotten rid of all of the unnecessary adware from your computer, you can put all of the remaining safe adware on a list for the adware removal software to exempt for future scans.

How to prevent adware from infecting your computer

Adware is common and is often harmless. However, threat actors can use adware for malicious purposes and put you at risk of losing your personal information. To minimize the risk of adware and prevent it from infecting your devices, you need to do the following.

Keep software up to date

Some hackers will exploit security vulnerabilities found in outdated software to secretly install adware on your computer. To prevent hackers from installing adware, you must keep your software current. Software updates patch security flaws and add security features that better protect your computer.

Only download applications from trusted sources

Adware is often disguised as legitimate software known as a Trojan horse that secretly installs on your computer. Other forms of adware are bundled with legitimate software to remain hidden when the legitimate software is installed. Adware is often downloaded from unreliable sources such as malicious ads or suspicious websites. You should only download applications and software from trusted sources such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Be careful what you click on

Some adware can be installed without your knowledge from pop-ups or infected websites. Cybercriminals will create infected websites and malicious ads that look legitimate to get people to click on them and install malware. You need to be careful what you click on to avoid unintentionally installing adware. 

Review all checkbox agreements and terms and conditions

When you enter a website or download an application online, always read the terms and conditions and look over the checkbox agreements. Threat actors often trick you into agreeing to install adware on your device by pre-populating checkbox agreements and hiding the agreement to install adware in the terms and conditions. You need to look over these agreements to manually opt out of the installation of adware.

Use antivirus software

Antivirus software is a program that detects, prevents and removes known malware from your device. It scans your device to detect any hidden malware and remove it. Antivirus software helps detect and prevent any incoming malware from installing on your device. Although adware is not always considered malware, some antivirus software comes with built-in adware removal software that will help detect any unwanted malware on your computer and remove it.

Prevent adware from stealing your information

Adware is not inherently malicious as it is used to promote legitimate software and generate revenue. However, threat actors will use adware to collect data about your online activity or trick you into installing malware on your device. To prevent adware from stealing your personal information, you need to keep your software up to date, download software from reliable sources, be careful what you click on, read all terms and checkbox agreements and use antivirus software.