Adware is unwanted software designed to throw advertisements up on your screen, most often within a web browser. Typically, it disguises itself as a real program, or sneaks in with another program to trick you into installing it on your PC, tablet, or mobile device. This then creates revenue for companies or even individuals from the ads unwantedly displayed on your screen.

Here’s how it happens. You go online with your web browser, only to see it start going insane, as an unreal amount of advertisements either pop up, slides in from the side, or inserts itself to interrupt your web browsing. And no matter how much you click to close those windows; they never seem to go away.

Use caution and practice safe computing. That means thinking twice before immediately downloading and installing any new software especially free software. Read the terms and conditions like a lawyer before agreeing to them, and quit out of the download process if anything smells like a permission to load adware.

Finally, even before all the above precautions, download a reputable cybersecurity program for your PC or mobile phone. Perform scans frequently, and keep your updates up to date.