Dealspace is a software program that displays online advertising on your computer. Click on one of the many Dealspace ads and you'll be directed (usually!) to the website and product the ad is marketing. We say usually because some unscrupulous programmers will show you adverts for one thing, let's say a pair of shoes, however you'll be sent to a website that's promoting something entirely different – possibly even pornography.
The other thing that this adware does is to collect data about your browsing habits. The program installs a component on your computer which tracks the websites you visit and records which products or pages you are looking at. This then enables the adware's programmer to show you Ads by Dealspace that more closely, or even exactly, match the items you are showing an interest in.
It is because of these not particularly pleasant characteristics, and the fact that this adware installs itself surreptitiously on your PC or mobile device, that have earned it a place in the malware hall of fame, or should we say infamy?
What effect can adware have on my computer?
On the plus side, if you've been infected by adware, you'll know about it. Adware is not the most subtle of malicious software and it's pretty obvious that the adverts you're seeing are tailored towards your recent searches. And if you're being bombarded with Dealspace pop-up adverts, then there is really no mistaking the fact you have malware on your machine.
The problem is that because the adware is constantly monitoring your internet usage and relaying data back to the programmer it is eating up valuable memory and system space. And because it uses your own internet connection to send the data, it may also slow your internet speeds down or cause pages to continually crash.
It can also disrupt other programs running on your computer and cause conflicts with them.
How did Dealspace get installed on my PC?
For the most part there are two ways that Dealspace installs itself. The most common of these is by bundling, meaning that the adware is discreetly packaged with another program or file. You download and install program A only to find that you've also downloaded and installed adware.
The slightly less common method is by drive by installation – when you've visited a website which has been compromised by Dealspace adware. The adware takes advantage of any loopholes in your browser to install the adware.
How do I stop adware from being installed on my PC?
Dealspace is a nuisance and you'd be quite right in thinking that you should protect yourself from the nastier strains. Firstly, download an anti-malware program, and second be careful when you're downloading programs and make sure you read the small print so you know exactly what you’re installing. To remove this adware and stop Ads by Dealspace, please follow the steps in the removal guide below. If you have any questions, please leave a comment down below. Good luck and be safe online!
Written by Michael Kaur, http://delmalware.blogspot.com
"Ads by Dealspace" Removal Guide:
1. First of all, download anti-malware software and run a full system scan. It will detect and remove this infection from your computer. You may then follow the manual removal instructions below to remove the leftover traces of this malware. Hopefully you won't have to do that.
2. Remove Dealspace related programs from your computer using the Add/Remove Programs control panel (Windows XP) or Uninstall a program control panel (Windows 7 and Windows 8).
Go to the Start Menu. Select Control Panel → Add/Remove Programs.
If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, select Control Panel → Uninstall a Program.
If you are using Windows 8, simply drag your mouse pointer to the right edge of the screen, select Search from the list and search for "control panel".
Or you can right-click on a bottom left hot corner (formerly known as the Start button) and select Control panel from there.
3. When the Add/Remove Programs or the Uninstall a Program screen is displayed, scroll through the list of currently installed programs and remove the following:
- Dealspace
- GoSave
- deals4me
- SaveNewaAppz
- and any other recently installed application
Simply select each application and click Remove. If you are using Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8, click Uninstall up near the top of that window. When you're done, please close the Control Panel screen.
Remove Dealspace related extensions from Google Chrome:
1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to Tools → Extensions.
2. Click on the trashcan icon to remove Dealspace, MediaPlayerV1, Gosave, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.
If the removal option is grayed out then read how to remove extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Remove Dealspace related extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
1. Open Mozilla Firefox. Go to Tools → Add-ons.
2. Select Extensions. Click Remove button to remove Dealspace, Gosave, MediaPlayerV1, HD-Plus 3.5 and other extensions that you do not recognize.
Remove Dealspace related add-ons from Internet Explorer:
1. Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.
2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Click Remove/Disable button to remove the browser add-ons listed above.