What is Adware and How to Remove It?

Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements on your computer or device, usually when you browse the web. Adware is bothersome, invasive, and potentially harmful. It can gather your personal data, redirect you to dangerous websites, or install unwanted programs on your device. In this blog post, I will explain what adware is, how it works, and how you can remove it from your Windows PC.

How does adware get on your PC?

Adware can get on your PC in various ways, such as

  • Downloading free or pirated software that contains adware as a hidden component.
  • Clicking on pop-up ads or fake download buttons that install adware on your system.
  • Opening spam emails or attachments that contain adware or links to adware websites.
  • Avoid visiting harmful websites that can infect your browser or system with adware.

How does adware affect your PC?

Adware can affect your PC in different ways, depending on its purpose and design. Some of the common effects of adware are:

  • Slowing down your PC performance and internet speed, as adware consumes your system resources and bandwidth.
  • Displaying annoying and intrusive ads on your browser, desktop, or other applications, such as banners, pop-ups, videos, or audio ads.
  • Changing your browser settings, such as your homepage, search engine, or new tab page, to show more ads or redirect you to adware websites.
  • Adding unnecessary toolbars, extensions, or plugins to your browser can track your online activity. Doing so can also allow the collection of your personal information. It can also alter your web content.
  • Installing harmful programs on your PC can damage your system, steal your information, or lock your files.

How can you remove adware from your PC?

Adware removal from your PC can pose a challenge, as it can hide, persist, or resist removal. However, there are some steps that you can take to get rid of adware, such as

  • Uninstalling any suspicious or unknown programs from your PC that you don’t remember installing or that you don’t use anymore.
  • Removing any unwanted or unfamiliar toolbars, extensions, or plugins from your browser that you don’t recognize or that you don’t need.
  • Restoring your browser settings to their default values, such as your homepage, search engine, or new tab page, that adware has changed.
  • Scanning your PC with a reputable and reliable adware removal tool, that can detect and remove adware and other threats from your system.

What are some of the best adware removal tools for Windows?

There are many adware removal tools available for Windows, but not all of them are effective, safe, or trustworthy. Some of the best adware removal tools for Windows are:

  • Norton 360 — This is a comprehensive and powerful antivirus software that can protect your PC from adware, malware, and other online threats. It can detect and remove adware, and has other features like a firewall, VPN, password manager, and cloud backup. You can download Norton 360 from here.
  • Avira — This is a free and lightweight antivirus software that can scan and remove adware and other PUPs from your PC. It has a high detection rate. The interface is user-friendly. It has added features for browser safety, privacy protection, and performance optimization. You can download Avira from here.
  • McAfee Total Protection is a strong antivirus software that protects your PC from adware, malware, and cyberattacks. It has great web protections and adware removal, along with identity theft protection, parental controls, and secure VPN. You can download McAfee Total Protection from here.

Conclusion

Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertisements on your PC, usually when you browse the web. Adware is irritating and invasive. It can collect your personal information, redirect you to harmful websites, or install unwanted programs on your device. Remove adware from your PC by uninstalling suspicious programs, removing unfamiliar toolbars or extensions. Also, you should restore browser settings, and scan with an adware removal tool. Some of the best adware removal tools for Windows are Norton 360, Avira, and McAfee Total Protection.

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