Nearly every computer owner has, at one time or another, experienced the effects of adware on their computer. This malicious software, which can be designed to do anything from displaying unwanted advertisements in the form of web browser pop-ups, to tracking your movements online and surreptitiously reporting them back to the parent company. Adware can be extremely tenacious, often being nearly impossible for the average user to remove on their own. Even worse, adware consumes your computer's system resources, which can slow it down dramatically. Thankfully, there are three major solutions available to help. Read on, and learn now to get rid of adware for good!

Ad-Aware : Ad-Aware is one of the oldest and most popular programs for adware removal. Lavasoft, the maker of Ad-Aware, has gradually expanded its product lineup to include programs with a full array of network monitoring and virus removal capabilities, but the basic free product remains, and is as good as ever. Ad-Aware is a full-featured tool for the detection and removal of spyware and adware, and includes a component which, at your discretion, can run in real time and automatically notify you if adware is attempting to enter your computer - before it does the damage!

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool : Microsoft was not the first player to enter the field of adware removal, but today their product is considered among the best. The tool also has the added benefit of being usable in two ways; either downloaded and run locally on the user's computer, or online, through the Internet Explorer web browser. The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool also scans the computer for viruses, making it an extremely valuable all-around tool for protecting your computer. Microsoft releases an updated version of the tool on the second Tuesday of each month.

Spybot Search & Destroy : While Spybot may not be as well-known as the adware removal solutions offered by Lavasoft or Microsoft, it may be one of the best. In fact, PC World ranked it the best anti-spyware and anti-adware scanner on the market in 2004. Spybot is able to detect and remove adware, but it goes the extra mile by also searching for and destroying spyware, dialers, keyloggers, and trojan horse viruses, not to mention, optionally, all of your internet usage tracks. Spybot also provides detailed information about the threats that it detects, explaining to you exactly how those threats can harm your computer.

Computer Security

When it is necessary to get rid of adware, the best overall solution is a combination of removal tools. Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and Spybot Search & Destroy are the most popular options available. Each approaches the problem of adware in a slightly different manner, and each has unique features to differentiate it in the increasingly crowded marketplace of personal computer security. It is recommended to use at least two of them, but you can do yourself no harm by running all three!