What is adware?
Adware is one of many "malware" or malicious software programs that unknowingly get installed on your computer when you visit online sites and download free programs. When you use file sharing or visit sites with free wallpaper, video, or music downloads, some of these sites will ship adware with your download.
These malicious programs are a rapidly growing threat to all computer systems. It is estimated that in the first three months of 2005 more than 80% of computer users had some type of malicious software program running on their computer, without their knowledge.
Although it is much less of a threat to your computer and information than spyware, what adware will do is make pop-up banners and advertisements appear on your computer. These advertisements are displayed on your computer no matter what program you are using. What people who put this kind of annoying software are saying is that adware advertising helps them recoup costs and allows them to offer you the freebies you want.
What you need to do to prevent adware from appearing on your computer is to run an anti-adware program first. Run this on-demand program regularly. Along with an anti-adware software program, run your regular on-demand computer virus scan as well.
Check the security level on your computer. Setting your security level should be at least a means to help protect you from unwanted downloads.
Don't download free files from the internet, period. When downloading any software, read the end user license agreement. Some of these agreements will state that when you download their software, you also agree to accept downloaded spyware that can be placed on your computer at the same time.