If you look up the word “gratis” in the dictionary, it means free, without charge, no payment.   It’s funny that it Gratisware was given this name since most adware is attached to free software, but it’s no laughing matter when it has infected your computer.  Yes, adware developers give you Gratisware “gratis,” but it can cost you time and money to remove it from your computer.

Adware is a software program that displays advertisements when the program is running.  While this is not normally a problem, when malicious code is attached to this software, the ads are delivered through pop-up windows or via a bar that appears on your computer screen through text links or search results.

If you are wondering how these malicious codes get on your computer in the first place, this could be through a number of entry points.

1. File sharing – Free downloads such as music, movies, and software.  Sites such as Warez, KaZaa, and Morpheus serve as a breeding ground for adware.
2. Internet Explorer – Due to holes in IEs security, adware has an easier time of getting to your computer than it does on other browsers such as Mozilla FireFox.
3. E-mails – Infected e-mails also serve as an entry point for spyware, adware, and other threats.
   4.X-Rated Websites – Adware is known for latching onto adult websites as a way to get into your computer.  Perhaps because your guard is down as you are focused on other things at the time…

Once this adware is on your system, it tracks your usage and creates pop-ups that are related to your searches, yet not quite what you were looking for.  In some cases, the results are in no way related to your search results.  It can be quite frustrating when the URLs are redirected and you can’t find the results you are looking for.

If you have experienced this, you know it can take a toll on your patience.  In the beginning stages, it’s not too bothersome, but when it slows your computer down (or worse, if your system crashes), it then becomes a serious matter.   Don’t wait for tragedy to strike, protect your system with an anti-spyware program.