This applies to threats known as adware – the category name, obviously, suggests that these programs indulge in displaying ads to those infected. The effect invoked by these abominable cyber-entities is entirely in the realm of promoting products, software, and services through unethical means. The compromised people confront popup ads wherever they go online, which isn’t a site-specific issue at all.

The advertisements appearing across websites because of such an activity are heterogeneous in terms of their types. They include comparison shopping charts, banners, sponsored links above or under search results, deals, inline text and interstitial ads, some of which are full-page. As opposed to regular commercial content presented by reputable Internet organizations, the adverts displayed by adware are impossible to configure as per one’s preferences, nor is it feasible to adjust their intensity. Ultimately, they come to occupy big portions of sites’ layout and thus can cover up the original content.

Oddly enough, the offers provided in these popup ads are mostly relevant, which means that the mischievous software knows quite a bit of information about the user’s interests. This is the upshot of web history harvesting, where one’s previous search requests and site visits get monitored and recorded. This isn’t too good for the victim’s privacy, putting it mildly.

The problem of ads popping up because of malicious software running inside a computer cannot be completely resolved with ad hoc extensions like Adblock Plus. While most of the popups will be blocked indeed, the threat will persevere and continue capturing potentially sensitive browsing data. The fix, therefore, is entirely a matter of eradicating the unwanted program and then rectifying the browser configuration that got skewed. Popup removal tips:  http://keonesoftware.com/tutorials/how-to-stop-popup-ads/