advice on web advertising
Gaining control
Many Web sites carry advertising. The problem for Web users is that they have no choice whether they wish to see the adverts or not. Being graphical, adverts can add considerably to download times, while some users find them distracting. Adverts often collect information about your browsing habits without your knowledge.
Working with your browser,
WebWasher
is a small piece of software which restores the choice to you whether
to view adverts or not.
It accurately identifies images which carry adverts.
It doesn't simply suppress their display, it doesn't even download them,
thus saving you time and bandwidth and protecting your privacy.
WebWasher is free to individual users (look for "Webwasher Classic").
In addition to filtering adverts, WebWasher also filters associated components (e.g. cookies and web bugs) which can compromise your privacy and which may even attract viruses.
Adware and spyware
Many computers have had programs downloaded on to them without their owner's knowledge. These programs are known as adware or spyware since their purpose is to gather information about your Web browsing habits so that you can be fed with targetted adverts over the Web (or possibly via junk e-mail). They are usually installed silently as a result of you downloading and installing another program, invariably a free one. Unlike viruses, they represent more of a threat to your privacy than to your computer's security. However, the boundaries between adware, spyware, viruses and junk e-mail (spam) are not rigid and they are increasingly used in combination.
Lavasoft's Ad-Aware is one of the leading programs for adware and spyware detection and removal and its design is excellent. Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition is free for non-commercial use.
Ad-Aware should not be seen as an alternative to anti-virus software – you need AV software whether or not you install Ad-Aware.