Many people think of adware as “just annoying ads,” but newer adware products can do a lot more than show you pop-ups. Many of these more recent versions track what types of websites you visit, record your search terms, log your login habits and monitor how often you go to a particular website.
There are many things that companies can do with the data collected by adware. They can either sell the information to other companies or organizations or use it to launch targeted attacks against individuals.
Adware is also a concern for everyone in a position of authority within a corporation (e.g., executive level, management level, IT level). It poses a risk to your privacy and security. In addition, while malware typically results in the crashing of computers, adware typically does not, making it much more difficult to notice.
Real-World Examples
Adware is not just a program that places ads on the end-user’s computer; it also has the capability of tracking the individual’s online activity.
1. Fireball: In 2017 Fireball adware infected over 250 million computers. Fireball took complete control of an infected user’s web browser and was able to capture sensitive information about their online activity.
2. DollarRevenue and Superfish: Pre-installed on at least some consumer laptops, these applications tracked the activity of users and exposed them to the possibility of tracking and/or other security vulnerabilities.
3. Most Popular Browser Extensions in 2023: Some of the most popular Chrome and Edge extensions were secretly tracking users’ browsing activity and keystrokes.
4. CrossRider: This adware was available from 2014 to 2016. CrossRider was a browser extension platform that allowed advertisers to inject their advertisements into users’ web browsers. CrossRider also collected personal and corporate user data, thereby compromising users’ security.
5. HummingBad: This mobile adware program, which was introduced to the market in 2016, collected information about mobile devices, downloaded additional applications, displayed unsolicited advertisements, and tracked user activity.
6. FireAd and DealPly: Both of these adware variants bundle adware with “free” software and therefore track the activity of users, download additional components of adware, and redirect users to dubious websites.
The Range of Information Collected by Adwares
Today's adware programs can gather the following types of information about you:
1. Your browsing history and all your search queries
2. Your login usernames and passwords or any autofill details (usually)
3. The type of device you're using and the specifications of your computer (OS, RAM, etc.)
4. Your location (GPS or other means) and your current IP Address
Because of their ability to collect such vast amounts of your private data, adware is a huge risk to your personal privacy and security beyond just the annoying popups that it produces.
Ways to Identify & Remove Adware
There are several different tools available such as the following:
1. Malwarebytes: Can detect and delete adware, malware, and other potentially unwanted programs.
2. AdwCleaner (by Malwarebytes): Highly efficient, lightweight program to remove adware and browser hijackers.
3. HitmanPro: Scans your files and the Internet with cloud-based technology to find & eliminate adware or spyware.
4. Windows Defender (previously known as Microsoft Anti-Virus): An antivirus program from Microsoft that can detect some forms of adware.
5. Browser security plugins - uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger are both examples of browser plugins that block ad trackers from collecting data about you.
How to Safeguard Yourself and Your Company
1. Run routine scans of all devices with an anti-adware removal tool.
2. Review the plugins/extensions you install in your browsers and only install trusted plugins/extensions.
3. Review the permissions on all of your applications and browsers to ensure that you are not granting unnecessary permissions to the applications/browsers.
4. Educate employees on adware. Educating employees on adware is the best method to prevent accidental installations.
5. Use caution when connecting to open networks, and remember to use a VPN when using public wireless networks.
What You Need to Know
1. Adware nowadays is no longer just used for tracking advertisements but is also being used to track your privacy and security.
2. Adware Detection Tools such as Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner, and HitmanPro Are Very Effective
3. A Combination of Regular Scanning, Knowledge of Software Usage and Employee Education Will Result in the Best Possibility of No Adware Installation
4. Low-risk Adware Can Serve as Entry Points for Data Leakage and Targeted Attacks.
