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måndag 19 oktober 2009

Where Adware Lurks On The Net In Free Programs

By Susan Reynolds

Adware is a sneaky little devil of a program that can hide all over the Internet. All those fun free downloads and your favorite websites are the perfect places for adware to hide, making it extremely difficult to escape. This article will help you learn the most prevalent hiding places and give you advice on preventing an adware from making itself at home on your computer.

Freeware - It is said that freeware can be found predominately in freeware. This is due to the fact that freeware doesn?t cost anything, and most adware and pop-up software are found to be supporting it. Freeware, as the name suggests, is totally free and can be downloaded and used by anyone without cost, and all the originator of the software really desires here is credit for their work. Don?t confuse this with open-source software, despite their similarities. What?s the main difference? Users of freeware can not only download the software, but you are only allowed to modify open-source software, whereas that?s not the case with freeware.

Creators of freeware aren?t supposed to request payment from those who download them since by its name, it is free. As an alternative, they may add adware programming into the freeware they create. They may also foot the bill for their own cost or solicit donations. More than likely, they will bundle in the adware because they probably don?t want to use their own cash and people may not want to give a donation. Shareware:

Shareware - The next most common place where adware can be found is in shareware. Shareware is very similar to freeware, including the bundling of adware. Both shareware and freeware are very much the same (both being free to use and download), but in the case of shareware, the author will actively ask for donations for using their software. Although this cannot really be enforced and works on the honor system, any donations received will keep the shareware project alive and up to date.

Expecting everyone to be honest is quite a leap of faith. This is why adware often shows up shareware, people just don?t pay. Advertiser pay good money to have their adware put into the shareware programs. This helps the creator keep the shareware site up and running. Without the use of adware, many shareware sites would go the way of the dinosaur.

3. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Applications: Peer-to-Peer, or P2P, applications are the least likely place to find adware when compared to freeware and shareware. That does not mean it never happens, just look at the P2P software Kazaa. Adding the adware to the Kazaa program caused quite a stir in the past. Unfortunately, with out the use of adware, Kazaa would have run out of funding. This would have caused the discontinuation of the site.

The knowledge of the main areas where adware is to be found can help you to be more cautious when you download any of these free programs. The mere fact that the software may come bundled with adware should not necessarily prevent you from downloading them at all. The truth of the matter is that there are many good programs that can be downloaded for free which rival their commercial counterparts. And if the adware is intrusive, you can use an adware removal took or another security solution to control its presence.

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