Adware is a software program that you install on your computer that displays advertisements while the program is running, either as a banner within the program or as a popup. This can be a good thing. It helps keep the program free or low-cost for the end user.

If the program displays random advertisements without gathering information about your online activities, then it's considered safe or ethical. You'll see the same advertisements that every user of the program is seeing. And the program isn't gathering information about your surfing.

Why Should You Have to Put up With Ads?

I don't have a problem with advertisements on the Internet oreven ads within free or low cost programs. This, in my opinion,is no different than an ad on television or in a newspaper. It'swhat keeps these things low cost and keeps businessesin business.

Advertising has a purpose. It tells us about a company'sproduct. I can think of a lot of great products I've bought thatI would've never even known about if it wasn't for advertising.

I do have issues with some tactics that are used. For instance, adware programs that bury deep within their EULA statement (End User License Agreement) the fact that they collect information about what you're doing while you're online.

Most computer users don't read the EULA, especially if it's long and full of legalese. We should read them, but the fact is, we usually don't. Or we quickly scan them until our eyes glaze over.

The advertisers may have what they consider valid reasons for gathering information about your surfing activities. Usually it's stated that they want to display ads in which the user would most likely have an interest.

From an advertisers point of view, that's probably a pretty good idea. But that should be your decision whether you want them to profile you or not.

When They Cross The Line.

There are also adware programs (or more specifically, the code written into them) that gather more than just information about your surfing habits. They can send your IP address, computer name, and information from web forms you've submitted to their servers and this crosses the line to actual spyware.

Strictly speaking, spyware is a program that does this "phone home" activity without your knowledge. And when an ad supported program crosses this line, it's spyware.

It shouldn't matter if they tell you in section 12, subparagraph 15, item 1.5a of their EULA or not...it's still spyware when they do this. Put it up front in the license agreement. Let the user know what they're installing.

Is There Any Such Thing as a Good Adware Program?

One comes to mind as I write this...Eudora email client. According to their claims (and I have no reason to doubt them), their program doesn't spy on you.

When you install Eudora, you fill out a user profile that you can modify whenever you want. This profile (minus any personal information) is used to serve advertisements from Qualcomm servers. Qualcomm is the maker of Eudora.

Should You Use Ad Supported Programs?

I'm not anti-adware. I've used these programs in the past, and I'll probably use them again, but I want them to tell me what information they're gathering, why they're gathering it, and where they're sending it.

Be up front with it. Make it easy to understand. Most users aren't lawyers. Like I said, I understand advertising and I support advertising...ethical advertising.

After researching the company, I may decide to trust them and install their program. That way, I get a good program for free and they get their advertising revenue...it can be a win/win situation.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Educate yourself. Know what you're installing and using on your computer. Read the EULA.

Visit websites like PCPitstop.com and check out their Spyware Information Center to learn about spyware and adware. Run their free online scans to keep your computer safe.

Also visit websites like Safer-Networking.org or Lavasoft.com. Read their articles and forums. Install Spybot Search & Destroy and AdAware, which you can get for free from those websites.

And, as you'll see me write over and over, back up your computer regularly.

About the Author:
Article courtesy of: Dennis Welch http://www.computer-help-guide.com Computer Help Guide provides comprehensive guides, tutorials and tips to help you manage and maintain your personal computer.
Copyright 2005 www.Computer-Help-Guide.com, all rights reserved.
Reprinted with permission.

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