An employee at a small business reports that their work computer has recently started displaying an unusually high number of advertisements while browsing websites, including secure business sites that typically do not display ads. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
All browser extensions should be checked and potentially removed
Adware or a potentially unwanted application (PUA) has been installed
Antivirus software on the system needs to be updated
The presence of uncharacteristically high numbers of ads, especially on secure sites that are not known for aggressive advertising, strongly suggests the installation of adware or a potentially unwanted application (PUA). This often happens when software, often free versions, is installed from unverified sources or when misleading installation prompts trick a user into accepting additional bundled software. This software can manipulate browser behavior to display ads. Updating the antivirus software might help catch newer threats, but it addresses the symptoms rather than the source of the problem. Checking for browser extensions could reveal harmless extensions but might miss system-level adware.
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