If the browser suddenly leads to piquant Internet pages, the favored search engine falters or unknown programs appear on the computer, so-called adware is usually involved. But these are only the harmless symptoms, there are much greater dangers.
Many free programs either come with built-in advertising or more or less secretly try to install more programs. With every installation, whether freeware or update, you have to watch out like a lynx. For in the meantime it is almost as certain as the Amen in the church that at some point attempts are being made to smuggle useless additional software onto the computer. Why? It’s about money, as so often. The developers of popular freeware programs want to earn a few euros by smuggling in adware programs. Because they know that many users click their way through the installation hastily. The developers vow that the additional programs can always be deselected, but this is an only half-truth. This is because the deselecting windows often only appear when the user starts the “User-Defined Installation”. If you click on “Next” instead, you fall blindly into the trap.
Free But Greedy
In most cases, superfluous or annoying programs that obviously don’t get the necessary attention in the normal way settle down on the computer. This is usually annoying software that no one needs and that also often has negative characteristics. We are talking about so-called adware. The term “adware” is made up of the English words advertisement and software. It refers to programs that display advertising to the user in addition to the actual function or install other programs that display advertising. The bandwidth ranges from annoying browser toolbars and useless tuning programs to unnecessary security tools.
Custom Adware
What exactly is installed in sophisticated adware systems is based on a computer scan that quickly detects which programs are already installed and in which country the target computer is located? In the worst case, malware such as spyware, keyloggers and browser hijackers are installed. The symptoms are particularly noticeable with browser hijackers.
- The browser opens Internet pages that the user has not called up at all
- A different start page is set up in the browser at once
- There are new entries in the bookmarks, which usually lead to erotic or advertising pages.
- The favored search engine can no longer be used
It is no coincidence that some antivirus programs block the installation of programs that have adware in tow. But even seemingly harmless programs carry real dangers. Behind them are often controversial advertising networks that are keen on personal data of all kinds. In addition, the probability of capturing adware is much higher than with malware such as viruses and Trojans. And once adware has spread to a computer, the risk of other malware nesting is doubled.
With these nasty tricks, Adware tries to get on the PC
How does Adware get on your computer despite antivirus software? It is often the user’s own fault. The three most frequent causes:
- Careless installation of free software: Adware usually finds its way onto the computer through negligence. Many users don’t look very closely when downloading and installing free programs or installing updates and simply click on “Next”. In doing so, they overlook the fact that they agree to the installation of additional software.
- By pirated copies: Dangerous adware often gets onto the computer when using illegal pirated copies or crack programs (cracks).
- Contaminated websites: Sometimes an (accidental) visit to a dubious website and cyber gangsters smuggle adware onto the PC through a browser security hole.
Especially the last two variants are dangerous. Because in these cases, the adware secretly nests and works in secret. Moreover, it cannot be easily deleted because it does not even appear in the list of installed programs.
There are many virus protection solutions, eBlocker is one of them but helping block adware hidden in website ads. These ads can have hidden code inside the ad, eBlocker stops ads and trackers, therefore helping prevent adware/malware attacks.
Blocking Adware and Protects Your Family
Anyone who actually wants to block tracking on every Internet-compatible device in the household faces an almost impossible mammoth task. Plug-ins or VPN programs, for example, do not work on smart TVs, game consoles or IoT devices (IoT = Internet of Things) and their too complicated for your younger kids to use. The eBlocker makes it much easier.
Connected to the home network, the little box anonymizes the online behavior of your family on all Internet-enabled devices in the system. In addition to the computer, it also protects tablets, smart TVs, game consoles and IoT devices, for which there are hardly any other options for privacy protection.
In addition, the eBlocker reliably blocks all trackers and data-collecting advertising. Thanks to this combination, the eBlocker offers protection for the whole family – without software installation.