For those who do not know, adware is a program which gets downloaded onto your computer, usually without your knowledge, downloads, plays, and displays all kinds of ads. This can happen when particular software is downloaded that has adware secretly installed.
Adware typically makes note of the sites you visit, then pops up related ads when the adware is packaged with software you have downloaded. AIM, Limewire, Kazaa, and DivX are just a few of the types of software that have adware attached.
Removal
If you want to remove adware, the first thing you need to do is quite simple. Uninstall and remove the software that hosts the adware. Things like Kazaa and Limeware are not necessary programs and your computer would run better without them anyhow.
Sometimes, however, you get a piece of malicious adware, which often will not uninstall. It may instead be necessary to uninstall the adware manual, by going through the Control Panel, into Add / Remove Programs. That way, you can get rid of any of the programs you have.
Next, you want to run a scanner that will show you any adware you missed. Normal anti-virus software is not always sufficient and specific adware cleaners are available for purchase. They'll come with an option to immunize your computer – to protect it in the future.
Once the scan is done, run it again after restarting your computer. You may need to scan your computer a few times to get rid of everything. Once the software returns a feedback of no adware, it's job is finally complete.
When adware gets overloaded on your computer, the problem is out of your hands to solve. In some cases your web browsers will not work properly and in others your computer will fail to boot altogether. At this point, you might need to see a professional computer technician to get your computer fixed.
Sometimes the adware is embedded in software you want to use readily. By removing the adware you'll indirectly cause the software you enjoy to stop running. All too often, the adware has been attached to the software by the companies that make it, so they can make a profit.
Fortunately, there are still ways to disable the adware. What this means is that the infected folders and files will be placed in a separate file to be deleted later. The program you normally use will still run but without the adware overload it'd normally contain.
It can be incredibly damaging, since it disrupts the way your programs and your computer itself are supposedly to run. Remember, it can keep your computer from booting up at all.
You need to remove the problematic programs if any of this has happened to your computer. Ignoring it and just letting it go on running in the background is the worst thing you can do.
Why not run a scan on your computer as soon as possible?