Adware

Adware is software that floods your phone or computer with unwanted ads, pop-ups and redirects, and may also track what you browse.

Adware: Adware is software that shows ads you did not ask for. It may add pop-ups, full-screen ads, changed home pages or ads in the notification bar. Some adware also tracks your browsing, and some opens the door for more dangerous malware to follow.

Adware often arrives bundled with free apps, cleaner tools, flashlight apps and cracked games. On Android you may see ads appear when the app is closed, on the lock screen or while using another app. Notification spam from websites you allowed by mistake is a close cousin. Because of this, a phone full of ads is a good reason to run a full security check, not just to ignore the noise.

Besides annoying you, adware drains battery and data, and its ads may lead to fake prize pages or scam apps. To clean up, remove recently installed apps, check Chrome notification settings and review which apps can draw over other apps. Avoid apps from unknown makers. Keep the number of apps small and remove those you do not use. Keep the number of apps small and remove those you never use.

Tips

• Uninstall apps installed just before the ads started, starting with free cleaner or booster apps.
• In Chrome settings, block notifications from websites you do not need.
• Turn off permission to display over other apps for apps that do not need it.

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