Spyware is a very common way that some websites and internet organizations have of collecting information about users and their surfing habits. This information is then used to develop targeted marketing strategies according to user's habits. Many times, these marketing strategies are also done through spam or adware.
One of the most frequent ways that these sites distribute spyware is through freeware programs. When you install such a program, many times it also installs a system without your consent that then starts collecting information about your surfing habits. In spite of the fact that most of the times it is harmless, it may however also be used with malicious intentions.
Whichever the case, spyware should not be present on your PC at all.
Steps to remove:
- There are two spyware removal applications that are very effective against spyware:
- Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com)
- Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.spybot.info/en/home/index.html)
Install these applications, which have free versions and you will be able to download updates from respected sites, and run them frequently to remove unwanted spyware.
- Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com)
- Some mallware, like the CW adware and mallware (CoolWebSearch), may not be removed by these two applications. If you still have unwanted pop-ups after running both Ad-Aware and Spybot, it is most probably due to CW adware. To remove it, install and run CWShredder.
- Ad-Aware will remove the Aureate/Radiate spyware, but reinfection may occur afterwards. To prevent reinfection, look for a file named "advert.dll" on your system. If you find it, delete the file. However, if you try to delete it and cannot, you will have to reboot your PC in Safe Mode, which will most probably allow you to delete it. After deleting, create an empty text file and name it advert.dll, give it read-only properties and save it to the Windows - System directory. Once the file is in place, configure Ad-Aware to ignore it.
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