Avoid adware: 5 tips for a PC without advertising

A PC without advertising: This can be realized with our tips. We’ll show you how to avoid annoying adware on your computer.


Tip 1: Do not download anywhere


Downloading freeware knows the hassle: Until you have the desired file on the PC, some time may pass and in the worst case unwanted programs simply install themselves. These range from annoying adware to dangerous malware, which puts the security of your computer at risk. With this guide, you avoid such risks.


Tip 2: Do not mislead by wrong download buttons


The first approach is the right software search. When it comes to a program with an established name, an official website usually exists. A software developer will not link malware to his or her own web page, nor will they enrich their own files with unwanted programs. If you have trouble finding the developer page, take a look at Wikipedia. In our download portal, too, we take care to run software without adware and always provide links directly to the developer.


Tip 3: Avoid installers who contain unwanted programs


The overwhelming majority of freeware pages deliberately mislead users when it comes to making downloads available. The software article leads to a further page, on which one not infrequently a dozen download links and buttons at a time welcome. Only one of them is the right one, all others lead to additional pages or simply banner ads.


Tip 4: Scan any file for known malware


At least the advertising can be done with a simple trick: Hold the mouse over a potentially correct link, and then look at the address to the left of the browser window to the link. Alternatively, right-click on the link, select Copy the address of the link and copy it to the address line of the browser. You can see if the download link is the right one, if it leads to a bottom of the download portal or a named mirror server (possibly with the filename of the desired program in the address). Everything else is advertising.


However, you do not have to get away from the right path and browse the shaded sides of the Internet to deal with problems. Once viewed pages such as CNET, BrotherSoft, Softonic, FreewareFiles and even Sourceforge (the home for open source software) use more and more installer programs. Here is CNET's comment: "The Download.com installer provides software safely from the Download.com servers to your computer. During this process, the Download.com installer can provide you with free applications from our partners."

Lesetipp: Remove Adware, Spyware and Malware


Instead of the file you wanted, you install the installer, which downloads the desired file, and installs additional unwanted programs like Toolbars, Semi-Gual Security Programs, Demos, and Adware. Really harmful are these rare. But it is tedious to get rid of them. Despite these practices, the aforementioned websites continue to enjoy high ranks in the search engines. So it is worth looking for other sources if the download page does not work without an installer.


It is irrelevant where and how you got your installation file - with a scan through a virus scanner of your trust you are on the safe side. If you do not have a virus scanner at hand, or you are working on a new computer, you can move your scan to the cloud with virustotal.com.


Lesetipp: antivirus test 2017


Simply upload the file and Virustotal will inform you about any viruses, worms, Trojans or scripts that are infected with your freeware. For Firefox, there is the extension VTzilla, which allows you to scan any links automatically through Virustotal without ever having to visit the site.


If you need a certain software, of course, it is only available on a few portals. Whether an installer program, as mentioned above, can be avoided or not: the installation process is often a hurdle that requires a certain amount of concentration. Do not click blindly through the setup program, any input will be deliberate. If the program offers you an automatic ("recommended") and a manual installation type, always select the manual!


Lesetipp: Remove Windows data garbage


Tip 5: No matter whether installer or not, read the small print


No expert knowledge is required, at best you can select the installation path and certain features of the program. However, there are also the disagreements for unwanted software. So keep an eye out for cross-checkboxes, which will give your consent or rejection of this software.


In addition, our almost instinctive clicking through of terms in software downloads is now used. No, you do not have to read them word by word to be on the safe side.


Lesetipp


But some software vendors are so bold and push the installation of the unwanted software before the actual desired file, without notifying the user of it. Before you click Agree, read at least the title line of the Terms of Use and determine if it is actually the correct installation or just annoying adware. If you press Reject in the latter case, the entire installation is not canceled, but the next GTC that has to be checked is rolled out.


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If you have carefully followed all the steps outlined here, the freeware should now be available - without the unintended annoying or sometimes dangerous ballast.