The Ads Alert application is a rogue anti-spyware.

The Ads Alert program reportedly has the characteristic of making false claims about spyware removal and detection.

Incidentally, there are a lot of spyware products in the market today that pose as genuine anti-Spyware scanners. They seem like the real deal but often times, they are not really able to remove the significant threats. They take up a lot of memory space and are difficult, if not impossible, to uninstall. Additionally, this malicious program functions as a smokescreen hoax application that distracts the computer user from noticing the presence of malware that is in the background running.

There is purportedly a second type of rouge anti-spyware and they are the rogues without malicious intentions but do not function correctly. An anti-spyware is like a surgeon. It cuts out the infected files in the most sensitive locations of the user’s computer. When a malfunctioning scanner performs this same operation, there is a high probability that it could cut out the vital parts instead of the infected ones.

Based on reports, this rogue anti-spyware was developed by the PCPrivacySoftware Company and could be purchased or downloaded for free from its website, pcprivacysoftware.com.

Free versions of the Ads Alert application have allegedly been tested on clean and uninfected computers. The application was said to have recognized files related to software that are legitimate as browser hijackers like the Microsoft Windows Media Player or the Adobe Acrobat Reader and suggested getting rid of them. The scan reports it made contained an entry that was related to Lop spyware even though this parasite was not installed in the system. The results of this test clearly show that the application Ads Alert employs false positive messages to entice potential customers into purchasing their product.

Apparently, the free version of this malware does not carry an update function. Its definitions database is old and outdated. The said application is not able to remove critical objects that are found and asks the user to register and buy the full version of the software.

The official PCPrivacySoftware website is not even informative. It does not have a detailed product review, screenshots, and contact information.

The AdsinContext application is an adware under the Browser Helper Object category.

The AdsInContext application is reportedly a variant of the Adware Adglobulin and is capable of displaying pop-up windows in Internet Explorer.

Studies show that this Adware displays advertisements on the computer. The third-party advertisements may take several forms such as pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, links incorporated within Web pages and text ads. 

Users’ accounts allege that the advertisements shown by the adware are usually based on the browsing habits of the user that enable its Trojan component to produce targeted results that are relevant to the user.

Studies show that the AdsinContext application is a Browser Helper Object that starts along with Internet Explorer. Experts claim that the application initiates its payload by starting a process named iic*.exe, where * represents the characters 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Research shows that the user’s computer gets infected with the AdsInContext application by downloading the program from the website adsincontext.com. The AdsInContext application is reportedly packed with file sharing programs such as Grokster.

The probable reasons why the user’s computer gets infected with AdsinContext are unsecured Operating System and Web browser security. It may also be downloaded and installed from P2P applications containing the adware. Unsafe Internet browsing and computer practices are also included in the possible methods the AdsInContext application may use to infect a system. Other reasons a computer may get infected with AdsinContext include downloading and installing free applications packed with the adware and visiting questionable websites that facilitate the download of the adware.

When the AdsinContext application runs, a certain important Windows System Registry key has been reported to be modified by the application for the capability of executing itself on system startup. 

Symptoms such as decelerated computer performance and appearance of new desktop shortcuts on the user’s homepage may be observed when the computer is infected with the AdsinContext application. Popups may also incessantly appear on the computer and e-mails that the user did not write are unknowingly sent.

The AdsInContext program is also known as:

• AdGoblin;
• AdGoblin\AdsInContext;
• and Adware.AdsInContext.

Allegedly, AdGoblin/AdsInContext is the author of the AdsInContext application.

The Adtest application modifies browser settings.

Reports indicate that the Adtest software displays the capabilities of a browser hijacker. The Adtest application modifies the host file of Windows to control which sites the user can visit.

Users say that the Adtest program redirects the page to a Chinese portal site. Some of the sites where the victim is redirected to are capable of installing malicious software in the system. The Adtest software itself can download harmful files. It downloads files from the Internet without the user’s knowledge.

The Adtest software has no privacy policy. It can allow remote intruders and malicious software to access the victim’s computer secretly. Hackers sometimes plant software in victims’ computers to make them vulnerable. They can invade the user’s computer and acquire their information. They can use the information for themselves or sell it to advertisers. Advertisers typically procure user information to determine their tastes and use it in their adverts.

The name Adware.Adtest may also be used to mean the Adtest program.

The Adtest program is able to change the Internet Explorer home page by adding the following value:

• “StartPage” = “http://HAO3344.com”.

The Adtest software modifies several registry keys to allow it to launch when Windows starts. Users report that even when the Adtest program is deleted manually, it reappears at startup.

The Adtest program also adds this line to the Win.ini file in some Windows Operating Systems:

• run = %Windir%\msfiles.exe.

Once the Adtest application is installed in the system, it creates the following files:

• intnets.exe;
• sysinfer.exe;
• msfiles.exe;
• and scridows.exe.

The Adtest application can slow the computer’s performance. It can also cause the system to crash or reboot without the user’s initiation.

A legitimate Windows program bears the similar name as the Adtest application. The Windows file assists in testing the performance of several Windows products. Its executable file is named ADtest.exe. The file adtest.msi is created when it is installed. The legitimate Windows file can only be downloaded from the Microsoft website.

Adultlinks Quickbar browser hijacker

The Adultlinks Quickbar is reportedly a browser hijacker that is capable of adding a toolbar to the browser of the Internet Explorer.

Adultlinks Quickbar targets the toolbar of the search engine that exhibits pornographic and adult material and links to websites for adults.

We recommend removal of this threat immediately.

This malware supposedly takes control of the settings of the user’s Web browser. It usually modifies the user’s search page, homepage and other default pages to lead the computer user to hijacker-owned websites. The money made by these hijackers is based on the frequency of visits made to their websites. They stand to make a profit from forcing the user in viewing their websites every time they open their browser.

The characteristics of this malware reportedly include the display of ads and the hijacking of the user’s Internet browser.

Incidentally, hijackers are specialized applications that hijack or take over the user’s browser homepage. They are among the most recognized and detested types of adware because the sites that become the user’s homepage are frequently profane and annoying. Resetting the homepage with the hijacker still in the computer system is next to impossible. In addition to this, since the hijackers are normally one of the many programs that a Trojan drops into the system, finding one in the users’ browser could mean that there are more spyware programs that are working in the background.

While a hijacking is taking place, your browser could behave normally but it could be slower. The ‘Clot Factor’ measures how much the parasite compromises the machine by its addition of registry entries, files, and directories. When more objects are placed in the computer system, manual removal becomes more error-prone and difficult.

The files for this malware are as follows:

• qabar.dll
• qcbar.dll

What’s Lurking on Your PC?

The next time you log on to your online banking Web site, take a moment to consider this: someone may be spying on you! Spyware programs take many forms including pop-up ad generators to keystroke loggers, known as “keyloggers.” Some spyware programs analyze your online searches so that they can then send you targeted advertisements while others secretly record everything that you type in hopes of discovering your financial secrets such as account numbers and passwords. Either way, eliminating and preventing spyware is essential.

How Spyware Programs Get on Your Computer

Spyware programs are installed without your knowledge, often after downloading seemingly useful programs. However, even if you do not download programs off of the Internet, spyware can infiltrate your system simply by visiting a malicious Web site! This type of invasion is known as a “driveby download.” Another way that spyware programs invade is through other spyware programs; a notorious type of spyware called a “downloading Trojan” opens a door and invites other spyware programs into your computer – all without your knowledge.

In addition to stealth infiltrations, some spyware arrives due to sheer trickery. For example, a popup window may appear on your screen telling you that your computer has a security problem and to “click here” to fix it. Don’t be fooled! If you click the popup window, even the red X for exiting, you will launch the malicious code. Instead, disconnect your computer from the Internet immediately and reboot your PC - all without clicking the popup warning in any way.

Spyware Side Effects

Not only does spyware collect personal and private information about you, it reports this information to a third party who may then distribute it elsewhere. While this is potentially disastrous to your identity and finances, it also wreaks havoc on your computer’s performance. Most computers infected with spyware have dozens of separate spyware programs running silently in the background. Imagine each of these programs taking up processor power and memory. Now imagine each of these nasty little programs using your Internet connection to upload data to a remote hacker or launch “denial of service” attacks on targeted Web sites or networks. Slow PC performance is often one of the first clues that you may have a spyware problem.

Eliminating Spyware

Eliminating spyware involves running an antispyware scan on your entire computer with a reputable computer security product. While some anti-virus programs also take care of spyware, not all do. Running plain anti-virus tools is not enough to protect your computer from these types of threats. Look for an antispyware program that is updated frequently with the latest defenses. Before you make your decision, research the company offering the product to be sure that it is reputable. Pay attention to the name of the product as many imposters name their malicious programs with names that sound remarkably similar to well known computer security products. For example, Windefender, a notorious malware program, is not the same thing as Microsoft’s Windows Defender, but their names do sound similar.

Preventing Spyware

Preventing spyware is preferable to finding it after the fact as a great deal of damage can occur between the initial infection and the scan. Look for real-time blocking and start practicing safe computing. Be careful what you download and be on the lookout for imposters.

When Annoying things happen on your PC, Its likely …

The likely suspect: Spyware
One of the first tip offs that you might have accidentally downloaded Spyware onto your computer is that it no longer functions properly. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you’d think that your computer is having a mental breakdown or going crazy. A variety of symptoms might be showing up on your computer, but most of them will have the same cause- spyware.

How do you know if your computer is infected with spyware? Quite a few symptoms usually appear suggesting this is happening. Look through the list of symptoms here and see if any of them sound familiar to you. Your computer might be showing all of these problems or it might be showing just a few. Either way, spyware is likely the problem.

Slowing PC Performance
Your computer no longer has the quickness that it once had when completing simple tasks. In fact, some of the time your computer simply freezes up and plays dead on you. This happens all of the time, most of the time, or some of the time.

Your web browser suddenly looks different. A new search bar appears or the colors are different. You might even have noticed that using your web browser takes longer to generate new pages. In fact, you’ve probably begun to experience poor search results that turn up websites that really don’t offer you the information that you’re looking to find. Worse yet, your searches for legitimate websites are suddenly being redirected to suspicious looking ones.

Popups Abound
Strange pop ups are appearing randomly on your computer whenever you connect to the Internet. These pop ups might advertise software applications or they might even suggest that your computer is infected with dozens or hundreds of spyware infections. Some of these pop ups might look legitimate, but you have your doubts anyway.

Perhaps the computer is experiencing difficulty in booting up or shutting down. It’s acting like a recalcitrant child who doesn’t want to do what she should. In fact, this crazy machine is suddenly making weird noises as it functions.

The solution
If a computer is infected with spyware, it usually has one or more of the above symptoms along with a few that haven’t been mentioned. The best strategy that you can take here is to install a reputable anti-spyware/anti-virus application and run it to remove the any spyware/Trojans/malware that has infected your computer.