Stopping Adware and Potentially Unwanted Programs
You know the tale — you install a couple of programs, just whizzing through the installers, until you reboot your PC, and end up with this:
This is the story of potentially unwanted programs and adware.
Adware is often pre-loaded with different applications or software (especially the free ones) to make some extra money for the company. Now adware isn’t limited to the annoying kind — many free websites use ads to provide their resources to free.
But there are the annoying ones.
They can steal your personal information and simply slow down your PC. And there are a few key steps you can do to get rid of adware and prevent it.
Getting Rid of Adware:
Once you have adware on your system, it might be tough to remove. Thankfully, there’s a free tool called AdwCleaner that can remove the existing PUPs or adware on your system.
Make sure, of course, you get the real version. There are fake copies out there:
Preventing Adware:
There have been so many cases of adware because of the tendency to spam the button “Next” or choosing “Express Install” when installing software.
It’s important, especially when you are installing programs, to understand what you are checking off (and that can include selecting the Custom Install).
To help with this, there is a free program called Unchecky that can easily detect adware in installers and automatically uncheck the boxes that will install it. It’s surprisingly helpful, and while it does make some mistakes sometimes, it’s a useful safeguard.
