Posts Tagged ‘Preferred Solution’

This article exposes the downside of relying on free software to block popup ads in the wider context of adware and spyware protection.

Adware is a common term meaning any type of software designed to play, display or download adverts on computers. Some adware are called spyware because their functions are invasive: They consist of obtaining then sharing some personal information about the users without their consent or knowledge. 

Adware popups have become a common irritation for most users and many are now looking for free ways to disable them. The preferred solution for many users is to rely on the popup blocker function of either the Google or MSN toolbar. Only a minority of users know about the link between popups and spyware, and even fewer still, take the right steps to protect themselves. Most users only concentrate on blocking popups. Yet, in order to protect the users’ privacy, preserve the integrity of their computers, and make any computing experience a pleasant one, both removal and prevention are important. This contrasts with just blocking popups, which simply creates a false sense of security. This is due to the fact that in reality, the most serious problem with popup ads is not that they are a permanent irritation, but rather that they are the symptom of spyware infection. This issue is clearly evidenced by the fact that many popups appear when computers are not even connected to the Internet.

Changing the browser settings is free and a step in the right direction

Blocking adware popups whilst browsing is easy enough. Changing the privacy settings so that popups can no longer appear on screen can be done as follows:

·      Select Control Panel in your computer 

·      Click on the Internet Options icon 

·      Click on the Privacy tab. 

·      There is a box next to “Turn on Pop Up Blocker”. 

·      Tick this box and you will block adware popups. 

Once the settings have been changed, users should adjust the privacy levels on their computer. Another option is to install the Google or MSN toolbar. Both toolbars will improve security when users browse the Internet. For more information, click on free popup blockers.

But, what about achieving complete protection? Are most users failing to see the bigger picture?

Users who seek to block adware popups, often forget that there is a high likelihood that their computer has already been infected with adware and spyware. Popup blockers such as those offered by the Google and MSN toolbars, whilst useful are just dealing with one aspect of privacy and system integrity protection. For more information click on block spyware.

At this point, it is recommended to consider more broadly, how to protect the users’ privacy as well as preserve their computer integrity from spyware and adware attacks. In addition to running an anti-virus software that is up to date, users should remove the spyware and adware on their computer. Frequently users download adware and spyware unknowingly.

The removal of adware and spyware can be achieved easily using popular anti adware and spyware programs, which usually also offer the functionality to block popups. The most popular adware and spyware removal programs are constantly being kept up to date as they rely on research teams to update the software in order to deal with the latest threats as they first occur. Using adware and spyware removal programs deals with the root causes of adware and spyware infections by removing undesirable software then blocking adware and spyware. This method is therefore far superior than just relying on free popup blocker programs. For more information click on adware spyware removal.

Overview - This articles outlines a fast method for anyone to form their own opinion of the popularity of any computer optimization program (e.g. Registry fix software, registry cleaner software, error fixing software etc..). It also uses the real life example of a website dedicated to help users fix computer errors, which has already adopted this method for screening relevant software for further review.

Readers should be forewarned that this method is still new and imperfect, yet that it still represents a superior alternative to most of other approaches available .   

The problem - Never has the choice of computer optimization programs been so large, yet most computer users do not tend to rely on impartial information to verify the popularity of computer optimization software before buying their preferred solution. This is a challenge as computer optimization software which are not popular may be either new, or unproven or both, are therefore riskier.

The options - Most users still rely on forums. This method is problematic, in that forums only provide anecdotal evidence of the popularity of any software, another challenge is the risk that participants will promote their own products using forums rather than share any independent perspective.

Software vendors’ sites provide another method. An obvious challenge with this method is that vendors are not independent and that they will always present their software in the best possible way.

An alternative method relies on trusted independent sites, which review different computer optimization software with similar functionality, for example Anit-Virus software, Registry Cleaning Software, Anti Adware/ Spyware programs etc… A major challenge with this method is that by and large, these sites focus their attention almost exclusively on the detailed technical features of the software they are comparing, and do not provide independent information on their popularity as they lack the data to do so.

So how can anyone determine the real popularity of any computer optimization program independently? (click on registry fix software example)

15 Minutes Method - A superior method is to look at the data provided by digital market places such as Clickbank for example, which is the largest of them all. There as several digital market place which sell many of the most popular computer optimization software and they give these software an indicator of popularity often called Gravity. In the main, Gravity is an indicator of the number of sales for a particular digital product over time. The Gravity measure of any digital product is calculated and compared independently from any software vendor by Clickbank. Gravity is therefore a good independent measure of popularity. Any user will be able to verify independently if any computer optimization software is popular by visiting Clickbank, alternatively any other major digital marketplace. Eventhough this method also has its own limitation (some Computer Optimization Software may not be sold through Clickbank), the fact remains that it is one of the most accessible method of independent review today.

Example - Some software review sites have adopted this method and are now referring to the Clickbank popularity of the digital products that they are also reviewing independently (Click on fix registry errors for a live example).

Overview - This article describes a fast method that anyone can use to independently assess the popularity of any computer optimization software (e.g. Registry fix software, registry cleaner software, error fixing software etc..). It also uses the real life example of a website dedicated to help users fix computer errors, which has already adopted this method for screening relevant software for further review.

Readers should be forewarned that this method is still new and imperfect, yet that it still represents a superior alternative to most of other approaches available .   

The problem - Never has the choice of computer optimization programs been so large, yet most computer users do not tend to rely on impartial information to verify the popularity of computer optimization software before buying their preferred solution. This is a challenge as computer optimization software which are not popular may be either new, or unproven or both, are therefore riskier.

The options - Most users still rely on forums. However the problem with this method is that forums only provide anecdotal evidence (at best) of the popularity of any software, another downside is the risk that forum participants are just promoting their own products instead of sharing their independent opinion.

Another method is to visit software vendors’ sites. Clearly vendors are not independent and this is an inherent limitation of this method.

Another method is to rely on an independent site, which compares different computer optimization software in the same family, for instance Anti-Virus software, Registry Cleaning Software, Anti Adware/ Spyware software etc…. A major challenge with this method is that by and large, these sites focus their attention almost exclusively on the detailed technical features of the software they are comparing, and do not provide independent information on their popularity as they lack the data to do so.

So what is the method, which can empower the users to establish the popularity of any computer optimization software independently? (click on registry fix software example)

15 Minutes Method - A superior method is to look at the data provided by digital market places such as Clickbank for example, which is the largest of them all. There as several digital market place which sell many of the most popular computer optimization software and they give these software an indicator of popularity often called Gravity. Gravity is an indicator, which is linked to the volume of sales for a particular program over a period of time. Clickbank compute and compare the Gravity score of any digital product independently from any software vendor. Gravity is therefore a good independent measure of popularity. Users can in any event, independently verify the actual popularity of any computer optimization program by visting Clickbank or a similar digital marketplace. Even if this method is not perfect (some Computer Optimization Programs are not sold via Clickbank), it is probably the most accessible for anyone to follow independently.

Example - Some software review sites have adopted this method and are now referring to the Clickbank popularity of the digital products that they are also reviewing independently (Click on fix registry errors for a live example).