If you have found MyCentria on your computer, you're going to be okay. MyCentria is annoying adware, but as of yet, it is not a serious threat to your PC. Just because I say it's not a serious threat does not mean that you want to leave it hanging around. It serves no purpose unless you like having your surfing behaviors monitored so you can get unwanted pop-ups and emails that are geared to reflect your marketing tastes. Plus, we still have no idea who is behind this program monitoring your information.
MyCentria origins are tracked back to the Russian Federation. This is never a good sign. Most corrupt pieces of spyware originate from here or China. Any efforts to regulate cyberspace are not practiced in these areas. We all know that adware is annoying, but when does it become unethical?
All early efforts to keep advertising out of cyberspace failed by 1994. The first advertisements started to appear in banners. Spamming and affiliate marketing (a commission-based referral system for websites) started to take off. By 1996, tracking methods were developed for advertisers to collect data. Adware began to take shape. Data on demographics and surfing habits transformed into bundles of advertising in hopes of getting a click. The advertisement has become more and more intrusive.
This eventually evolved into 3rd party advertising through small adware files like MyCentria. The software tries to create add-ons for Internet Explorer and Firefox. It's called Adcentria Infobar on Firefox and Internet Explore on MyCentria Internet Mate v 2.0. The add-ons will monitor all of your searches and replace what you are searching for with their advertisements.
The thing that you really want to watch for is how you got MyCentria on your computer. More than likely it came as a bundle on a Trojan. This adware still lurks in dark and seedy places. Watch where you are going when you are surfing. Anything that has adult content, like porn sites, peer to peer file sharing communities, and pirated software (especially from sites like Warez) are all cesspools of diseases for your computer to pick up.
Getting rid of MyCentria isn't too hard. You can figure out how to remove the files easily enough. Go to any Internet forum, and the files for removal may differ slightly, but there aren't too many. Are you going to keep on doing manual removal the rest of the time you are online? You have better things to do with your time.
I truly believe that you best bet is to research an anti-spyware programs. A rogue anti-spyware program will report all kinds of viruses, but the pop-ups still don't start. The trial version usually scans without your permission. Then quickly reports as many as hundreds of false and exaggerated files. Many programs only delete up to 90% of what may be embedded into your computer. This mean that your anti-spyware is useless. Adware and spyware quickly regenerate. Protecting yourself from MyCentria and other malicious malware in the future is worth every penny.
About the Author:
Carl runs a site devoted to helping you rid your computer from all sorts of spyware and malware at http://www.spyzooka.com/