• Posted by: Eng. Donya Bino
• February 09, 2026

Endless Pop-Ups: Adware & Bundled Spyware Risks

Aggressive or never-ending pop-ups are an annoyance, but they can represent the first signs that your computer has been infected with adware. In addition, many forms of adware come bundled with other forms of malware (such as spyware). 

For users, this leads to stealing your web history, slowing down your computer and may allow for more serious compromises as well. In 2025-2026, we expect that attackers will still utilize this traditional delivery system because it exploits users who are rushing through the installation process.

How the Installation Process Works
Adware does not usually appear by itself, but instead comes bundled with 'free' forms of software (such as PDF readers, video players, system utilities, or cracked software downloading via torrent sites).
1. The user downloads what appears as legitimate software.

2. The installation process will provide an option for "Express" or "Custom" installation. Using "Express" will install the extra items in the background.

3. Users may or may not notice that the installer contains hidden checkboxes/agreement items for additional toolbars, browser extensions, or "partner offers."

4. The end result is that the user has installed adware on their computer and may have also installed another form of malware as part of the adware installation process. The added malware may collect data on the web pages the user visits, search terms, and possibly keystroke data.
Recently, some examples of users downloading adware and malware include: fake Flash updates, cracked versions of games and "free" VPNs and mobile cleaning apps.

What to Do: The Symptoms of Adware/Spyware
Once the combination of adware and spyware has been installed, it will become aggressive, manifested primarily by:
1. Unending pop-ups (even when no browser is running) through background processes.
2. New tabs will open directing the user to counterfeit sites ("Your PC is infected - call us now.") and redirecting to other phishing or drive-by download websites.
3. The homepage and the search engine of your internet browser is changed without your permission.
4. Frequent and serious lag times, CPU utilization spikes and unanticipated data spikes.
5. Redirects to phishing or drive-by download sites.

In 2025, bundled adware often delivered information-stealing trojan software (examples: Lumma; RedLine); or forced the installation of browser extensions that stole usernames and passwords.

Effects of Adware/Spyware in the Real World
1. Your personal information being sold on underground markets.
2. Compromised accounts (email, banking, social media).
3. Your computer becomes part of a click-fraud network (or botnet).
4. Rootkits that make it more difficult to remove, in extreme cases.

Sometimes, even legitimate software that has ad-based revenues can cross into the spyware realm when it collects too much information from users without their full knowledge or consent.

Real-World Examples:
Example 1: traditional bundling within free software downloads. Download sites offer popular software and wrap it in an installer that installs adware such as toolbars, search hijackers or background ad services by checking an option presented for "Express" or similar options using misleading labels to deceive users. and install bundled spyware, often classified by antivirus software as potentially unwanted program (PUP), to enable tracking your browsing and delivering targeted advertising, or collecting your credentials.

 

 

Example 2: Adware that displays pop-up warnings that say "Your computer has been infected with Trojans or Spyware." Full-screen or window-locked alerts provide you with a "scan" and error code, along with a toll-free number to call (and pose as Microsoft tech support). If you click on the ad you will be redirected to download a remote access tool or some other type of malware. Spyware that is bundled with adware will log your keystrokes while you are talking to a tech support person or steal your saved passwords from your computer.

 

 

Example 3: Background processes create an overwhelming number of pop-ups in a short amount of time, many fake (like free prizes or adult websites), requiring a "update" to the program before you can close your web browser. You may notice your computer is extremely slow and your device (e.g., laptop) has a very loud fan. Your computer is taking up too many resources (CPU/RAM) to render ads and will quickly drain its battery because of this chaos, while the bundled spyware is taking advantage of this to steal information, and install additional spyware or malware.

 

 

Example 4: Browser Hijack with Phony Search Engine & Redirect Chains Adware transforms the homepage/search into a spoofed engine filled with sponsored links, then reroutes searches to tracking domains which go to scam/phishing sites. Persistent corner pop-ups offer "browser upgrade" or "cleaners," both of which install more adware. Spyware keeps a record of form input, cookies and history to perform Credential Stuffing and to later sell the information.

 

 

Example 5: Before and After, Significant Difference Between Clean and Infected System The clean system is fast and has no distractions versus the infected system being inundated with pop-ups, redirects, false alert messages and has dropped in performance significantly because of the one hasty install that contributed to the compromised leaking device.

 

 

Practical Steps to Remove and Prevent
Act fast, don't just close pop-ups.
1. Close the source Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → Processes → look for suspicious high-CPU apps → End task.

2. Uninstall offenders Settings → Apps (Windows) or Applications (Mac) → sort by install date → remove anything unfamiliar.

3. Scan Carefully.
a) Free Tools: Use Malwarebytes for Adware Scanning, AdwCleaner (by Malwarebytes) to Clean Your System, and HitmanPro for Malware Removal.
b) If necessary, use Windows Defender Offline Scan. 

4. Reset Browsers Chrome/Edge/Firefox to Default Settings.

5. Prevent Getting Infected Again.
a) Always Select Custom Install and Uncheck all additional items (when doing an installation).
b) Download Only from the Original Website (not from any third-party mirror).
c) Avoid cracked software, it's the #1 adware/spyware vector.
d) Use a reputable ad blocker (uBlock Origin) to suppress rogue ads.

Most adware isn't sophisticated, but bundled spyware can be. If pop-ups return after cleanup, consider a full system reset or professional help.
Stay cautious with free downloads, one skipped checkbox can turn a quiet device into a noisy, leaking one.