Last week Bob bought a new Garmin GPS. He will need it when his OnStar subscription expires, and this seemed like a good time to get used to the new model, with its large, easy-to-read display and lifetime map support.
In order to keep maps up-to-date, I thought I'd install Garmin Express software on my laptop computer. I was a little distracted when I was doing so, and somehow I made the mistake of installing bundled adware along with the Garmin software. I've always preached the need to say "no" to installation choices, unless you're absolutely sure you mean "yes". I could hardly believe I got caught myself, and was somewhat surprised my Norton antivirus software to kick in when I really needed it.
The adware kicked in immediately, slowing down my computer and offering me the opportunity to buy a wide variety of products and services, including anti-adware software and services (!), upgrade Windows drivers or talk to a tech for immediate help. The usable real estate on my desktop diminished to a few square inches. Too bad I didn't read this item before I installed Garmin Express.
I spent several hours over the weekend trying to uninstall the adware. Norton was very involved this time around, and I thought -- more than once -- that the adware was gone. I think I got most of it uninstalled, but I'm fairly sure both IE11 and Chrome browsers were hijacked with adware add-ons and I just didn't have the skill or the tools to fix the problem.
Finally, I did things the old fashioned way and restored Windows (8.1) to its pre-Garmin state. PC and Windows are running fine now, and I feel lucky that I got only a slap on the hand for my carelessness.
