How Do Adware Work? An In-Depth Look at the Malware That Steals Your Data
Adware is one of the most pervasive and dangerous types of malware that exists today. It infects millions of devices around the world every year and can cause significant damage to both individuals and businesses. In this article, we'll examine what adware is, how it works, and what you can do to protect yourself from it.
What is Adware?
Adware is a type of malicious software that displays unwanted advertisements on your computer or mobile device. These ads can take the form of pop-ups, banners, or even full-screen ads that interrupt your browsing experience. Adware can also track your browsing behavior, stealing your personal data and selling it to third parties.
The purpose of adware is to generate revenue for the attacker by tricking users into clicking on the ads. Adware creators get paid for every click on their ads, often leading victims to fake websites or even worse, download an even more dangerous type of malware that can take over their computer and steal even more sensitive data.
How Does Adware Infect Your System?
Adware can infect your system in several ways, but the most common is through software bundling. This is when adware is included in a legit application like a free app, but without the user knowing or consenting to it.
For example, consider the innocent game app 'Puzzle Mania,' which includes hidden adware. When a user downloads the game from an app store or website, the adware installs itself along with the game. If the user doesn’t spot the sneaky download during the installation process, their computer can be infected with adware.
Another way adware finds it's way to your device is through malicious links or attachments on emails or social media. Scammers lure users to click on ads and or links to claim free rewards or coupons. These campaigns were prevalent in the early days of desktop adware. Users who clicked on the links were redirected to a website that downloads the adware automatically.
Regardless of the method, once adware is installed, it will begin collecting data and wreaking havoc on your computer or mobile device. Just like a trojan or virus, it can hide itself very well, making it nearly impossible to remove with traditional antivirus software. This makes it crucial to take action to prevent adware infections from happening in the first place.
How Does Adware Work?
When adware is installed on your system, it begins to track your behavior. This means that it will collect data about your browsing habits and use this information to display customized ads. It tracks all sorts of data including your history, searches, and downloads.
If you visited an online store to look for a new pair of shoes, Adware installed on your device will use that data to display ads tailored to your interest, like shoes items or similar online stores where they will make money for every click. This can be very annoying for users, as the ads can be persistent and hard to remove.
The malvertising (malicious advertising) ecosystem is vast, and every time you click on a malicious ad, they make tons of money, which is why they're persistently displayed in your browser. They are the primary source of revenue for the attackers behind adware, so the more ads they display, the more money they make.
How Can You Protect Yourself from Adware?
The first step in protecting yourself from adware is to install an antivirus program that is specifically designed to detect and remove adware infections. Antivirus software is your first line of defense against adware and other types of malware.
Another important step is to be careful when downloading free software from websites and app stores. Always read their terms and conditions, and make sure they are legitimate before downloading them. You can also use ad-blocking software to block unwanted ads, but you need to be very careful with this. Google and other legitimate sites require ads to be displayed to generate revenue. If you use an ad-blocker, you may be blocking ads that keep sites running.
Always keep your operating system and software up to date. After finding a vulnerability in an application or software, a new update will solve the issue. So, keeping everything up to date will reduce the risk of an attack.
Final Thoughts
In summary, adware is a dangerous type of malware that can cause significant harm to individuals and businesses. It is a lucrative business for the attackers behind it, making it a rapidly growing problem around the world. But by taking the necessary steps to protect yourself, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of adware. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
