More than Annoying Ads:
AdBreak Spyware
Adware refers to
applications that are often bundled with other programs and designed to display
web-based advertisements. They are
typically distributed at a much lower cost or for no cost at all as the primary
source of revenue comes from displaying the ads instead of actually selling the
program. Although most forms of adware
function with the sole purpose of flooding your computer monitor with
advertisements, a few of them serve as rather useful tools. One such example is the Opera Web Browser, a
popular application that displayed a tiny pop-up advertisement until the
product was registered. While Opera has
since become a freeware application, many ad-sponsored programs remain quite
common.
In many instances, adware
remains in the category of unwanted and potentially harmful software. It is often bundled with keyloggers and other
spyware features opposed to a useful web browser like Opera.
What is AdBreak?
AdBreak is an
ad-supported program, more specificially, a BHO (browser helper object) that is
typically installed without a victim's knowledge or consent. Like most spyware, it is often bundled with
shareware or freeware applications and automatically installed with the
legitimate program. AdBreak uses web
browser exploits to initialize forced and hidden installations.
It has the ability to
modify a user's browser settings, hijack web pages and redirect them to
irrelevant or compromised internet locations, display unsolicited pop
advertisements, create new button links and toolbars and consume a great amount
of bandwidth which slows down system performance.
This type of spyware has
the ability to establish outside internet connections, which is usually done to
download updates to a system or report captured data to remote affiliates. AdBreak often displays offensive
advertisements without the presence of an active web browser and tracks a user's
web surfing and shopping habits, data generally gathered to make way for
targeted advertising.
Any type of adware that
does not attain an explicit agreement from the user, does not disclose the data
it will collect or whom it will be sent to, displays advertisements in a
disruptive manner, or secretly install other programs is rightfully termed as
spyware and constitutes as an invasion of a user's policy. While mild types of adware generally will not
compromise the security of a computer, more aggressive forms such as AdBreak
are known for performing illegal operations.
This program has been reported to silently download other programs such
as Trojan horses and keystroke loggers.
The AdBreak program has been a major problem for many users and proven
to be rather dangerous.
Removing AdBreak
Sometimes, ridding your
system of spyware is as simple as going to the "Add/Remove Programs" area of
your computer and manually removing it.
Unfortunately, AdBreak is often completely embedded into a system,
making the process of removal nearly impossible. The good thing is that plenty of anti-spyware
and anti-malware solutions are available and ready to take care of the problem
for you. These programs will run a
thorough scan of your system in search of spyware, complete destroy them and
help to keep them out.
