Adware, a combination of “advertising” and “software,” is a type of malware that’s designed to bombard users with unwanted advertisements and gather data about their online activities. While some adware is relatively harmless, others can pose a serious threat to a user’s privacyTor (The Onion Router): Free software for enabling anonymous... and security. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most notorious examples of adware, from annoying pop-ups to stealthy data stealers, and discuss what you can do to protect yourself from these unwanted intrusions.
Superfish
One of the most infamous examples of adware in recent years is Superfish, which was pre-installed on certain Lenovo laptops between September 2014 and February 2015. Superfish used a technique called “man-in-the-middle” to intercept encrypted HTTPSE2E Encryption (End-to-End Encryption): A system of communic... data and inject its own advertising content into web pages. This not only slowed down users’ web browsing experience but also made their connections less secure, as Superfish weakened the encryptionGDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): A regulation intr... used to protect their online communications.
The security implications of Superfish were serious enough that both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Lenovo itself issued advisories warning users to remove the adware from their systems. The incident also sparked a class-action lawsuit against Lenovo, which eventually settled for $7.3 million.
Yontoo
Yontoo is another notorious adware program that has caused headaches for many users over the years. It was commonly distributed through bundled software installations and browser extensionsMalvertising: Malicious online advertising that contains mal..., where it would display unwanted pop-up ads and inject additional advertising content into web pages. Yontoo also had the ability to track users’ web browsing activity and gather data about their online habits.
One of the most insidious aspects of Yontoo was its ability to evade detection and removal by traditional antivirusIntrusion Detection System (IDS): A system that monitors net... programs. It used various techniques to hide itself on the system, making it difficult for users to get rid of it once it had taken hold. The best defense against Yontoo and similar adware programs is to be cautious when installing new software and to regularly run thorough scans with a reputable antivirus program.
Conduit
Conduit is yet another example of adware that has caused a great deal of frustration for users. It was often bundled with free software downloads and browser extensionsIncognito Mode: A privacy setting in web browsers that preve..., where it would redirect users’ web searches and display unwanted ads. Conduit also had the ability to track users’ online activities and gather data about their browsing habits, posing a significant threat to their privacy and security.
Removing Conduit from a system was often a challenging task, as it would attempt to resist uninstallation and reinstall itself if not properly removed. This persistence made it particularly difficult for users to rid their systems of this unwanted adware. The best defense against Conduit and similar adware is to exercise caution when downloading and installing new software and to regularly scan your system for any potential threats.
Zeus Panda
Zeus Panda is a different kind of adware that focuses on stealing sensitive personal and financial information from its victims. It typically infects systems through malicious email attachments and fake software downloads, where it then quietly monitors and logs users’ keystrokes and web browsing activity. This information is then used to steal usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data for the purpose of identity theftRemote Access Trojan (RAT): A type of malware that provides ... and financial fraudSocial Engineering: Manipulative tactics used to deceive peo....
Zeus Panda is especially dangerous because it operates silently in the background, making it difficult for users to detect its presence until it’s too late. The best defense against Zeus Panda and similar data-stealing adware is to be cautious when opening email attachments and downloading software from the internet, and to regularly update and run antivirus and antimalware scans on your system.
Protecting Yourself from Adware
The examples mentioned above are just a few of the many types of adware that exist in the wild. To protect yourself from these unwanted intrusions, it’s important to follow some best practices for internet securityBYOD (Bring Your Own Device): A policy allowing employees to...:
– Be cautious when downloading and installing new software, especially from untrusted sources. Always read the terms and conditions, and opt out of any bundled add-ons or optional software.
– Keep your operating system and software up to date with the latest security patches and updates to minimize vulnerabilities that adware and other malware can exploit.
– Use reputable antivirus and antimalware software and regularly scan your system for potential threats. Consider using a browser extensionAdware: Software that automatically displays or downloads ad... or add-on that can block intrusive advertising and protect your privacy online.
– Be wary of unsolicited email attachments and links, and always verify the sender’s identity before opening or downloading anything.
By exercising caution and following these best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victimSwatting: A harassment tactic where a perpetrator deceives a... to adware and other forms of malware. Remember that prevention is always better than a cure when it comes to protecting yourself and your data from unwanted intrusions.