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Popups and Spyware Protection Need Better Tools Than Google and MSN Toolbars !

October 17, 2009

This article describes the disadvantages of relying on freeware to block popups, in the wider context of adware and spyware protection.

Adware is a popular term to describe any software which can play, display or download advertisements on computers. Some adware are called spyware because their functions are invasive: They consist of obtaining then sharing some personal information about the users without their consent or knowledge. 

Adware popups have become a common irritation for most users and many are now looking for free ways to disable them. For many users, using free popup blockers such as the Google and MSN toolbars is the preferred solution. Unfortunately only a minority of users think about the relationship between popup ads and spyware, and even fewer think about spyware protection and prevention beyond blocking popups whilst browsing. Yet, in order to safeguard the users’ privacy, protect the integrity of their systems, whilst enabling a pleasant user experience, both the removal of adware and spyware and their prevention are necessary steps. By contrast, simply blocking popups whilst browsing creates a false sense of security. This is due to the fact that in reality, the most serious problem with popup ads is not that they are a permanent irritation, but rather that they are the symptom of spyware infection. This issue is clearly evidenced by the fact that many popups appear when computers are not even connected to the Internet.

Changing the browser settings is free and a step in the right direction

Blocking adware popups whilst browsing is easy enough. Changing the privacy settings so that popups can no longer appear on screen can be done as follows:

·      Select Control Panel in your computer 

·      Click on the Internet Options icon 

·      Click on the Privacy tab. 

·      There is a box next to “Turn on Pop Up Blocker”. 

·      Tick this box and you will block adware popups. 

Once the settings have been changed, users should adjust the privacy levels on their computer. Another solution is to use the Google or MSN toolbar. Security when browsing the Internet can be improved when using these toolbars. For more information, click on free popup blockers.

But, what about achieving complete protection? What is the bigger picture for most users?

Users who seek to block adware popups, often forget that there is a high likelihood that their computer has already been infected with adware and spyware. The popup blockers offered by Google and MSN are clearly useful, yet only deal with one aspect of privacy and system integrity protection. For more information click on block spyware.

It is highly recommended at this point to think more broadly on how to protect the users privacy, and computer integrity from spyware and other adware. Users should, in addtion, run the latest version of their anti-virus software, then eliminate adware and spyware using appropriate tools. Often adware and spyware are downloaded without the users’ knowledge.

The removal of adware and spyware can be achieved easily using popular anti adware and spyware programs, which usually also offer the functionality to block popups. The most popular adware and spyware removal programs are constantly being kept up to date as they rely on research teams to update the software in order to deal with the latest threats as they first occur. Using adware and spyware removal programs, which can also block popups, deals with the root causes of the problem rather than just the symptoms of adware and spyware attack. This approach is clearly superior to the reliance on free popup programs. For more information click on adware spyware removal.

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