Have you ever been plagued by junk advertisements popping out when you're on your computer, stopping you from reading the websites you actually want to see?
You might be suffering from a malware attack.
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There are many different types of malware: spyware, pop up widows, dialers, joke programs, remote access and trackware.
All of them damage your computer to different degrees.
System engineer Shi Chao says the Adware that causes those annoying pop-up windows is a unique kind of malware.
It doesn't cause a lot of damage to your computer, it doesn't leak your personal information and it doesn't compromise your network security.
But those never-ending pop-ups can drive you crazy!
"You open an Internet Explorer window, but the browser suddenly jumps to a junk website. And a whole heap of windows with junk ads keep jumping out so quickly you can't turn them off. You may also be frustrated when the malware resets your home page and doesn't let you reset it. This seriously affects your network speed, and you will feel irritated and depressed."
Faced with a full-on adware assault, most people reach for their anti-virus software, hoping it will rid their machines of the annoyance.
But they soon discover that no matter how many times they scan their hard-drive, things don't get any better.
That's because adware works in a different way to other viruses like Trojan horses and sniffers.
Most firewalls and anti-virus software can't detect them, let alone delete them.
When your CPU is running extremely slowly, you can't open the web page you want to browse, and you can't even move your mouse, it may be time to face the facts.
There's nothing left for you to do but reinstall your system.
Don't let it get this far.
Symantec Corporation system engineer Zhang Chen says Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 has a basic function allowing people to block pop up windows.
To make it work against adware, you usually need to install software especially designed to deal with adware.
"To better protect your computer, we will recommend customers install anti-virus software specifically designed to deal with such malware. Products like Symantec, Microsoft Defender and Yahoo Removal Tool. Just down load them from their official website, install and have them scan your computer. That's how you can identify and remove most adware. Also don't forget to update your anti-malware system."
Zhang Chen says prevention is the best cure when it comes to malware.
So follow these simple steps to protect yourself from future malware attacks.
Open Internet Explorer and go to the Tools menu. Click on "Internet Options". Go to the Security tab and click on the globe labeled "Internet". Then click the "Custom Level" button. Make sure "Download signed ActiveX controls" is set to "Prompt". If you think you have everything that you need installed, you can set this to "Disable" for extra security. Set "Download unsigned ActiveX controls" to "Disable", as well as "Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe".
Now you've upgraded your computer's ability to resist evil adware and you can happily surf through cyberspace free of pop-up phobia.
China Drive is one of CRI's radio programs aired from Monday to Friday. We pick the most interesting life reports from China Drive. Stay tuned.
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Director: Liu Chi