Feel like your computer just hasn\u2019t been running as fast as usual? Or do you find your work apps inundated with strange ads? In these cases and more, your issues might not be a problem with computer hardware. In fact, they might be due to so-called PUP malware or potentially unwanted programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read on for more information about PUP malware, potentially unwanted programs, and how to remove these pesky programs from your computer once and for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a nutshell, a potentially unwanted program or “PUP” is a program that you may not want, even if you may have (inadvertently or unknowingly) consented to download and install it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, say that you downloaded a new program recommended by a friend. You quickly click through the installation steps to get the program up and running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, once you start using the program, you notice that another program, like a very slow, ad-inundated browser, has also set up shop on your PC. Now, whenever you try to access the Internet, it’s through this strange browser, not through Google Chrome! You may have accidentally installed that strange, slow browser by installing the other program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potentially unwanted programs can include adware, spyware, and even malware. Most PUPs are packaged with specific programs and may share certain features, branding, or other elements. Depending on their purposes, PUPs can be used to spy on people, to gather data for corporations, or for other goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regardless, many PUPs negatively affect the performance of your computer, such as by slowing it down, taking the place of other programs, or just being generally annoying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The majority of PUPs come from free software. For instance, say that you find an online advertisement for a type of free videoconferencing software because you don\u2019t want to pay for the full version of Zoom. You might think that you\u2019re getting an excellent deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In reality, installing the free videoconferencing software also installs a bunch of potentially unwanted programs. By installing the free software, you did exactly what the software creator wanted: gave them a clear entry point onto your PC, oftentimes to let them install harmful or data-gathering programs instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can oftentimes tell if there\u2019s a PUP loaded into another software program by carefully checking the installation process. If a download or install box pops up, and there are several checkboxes related to other software programs, the program may be trying to get you to download and install one or more PUPs as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They can be, but not always. PUP as a term was made by McAfee, the popular Internet security company, because many marketing firms didn\u2019t like their free programs or products being called spyware or malware. Technically, all the information needed to obtain consent from users is provided in the installation windows of most free software products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, everyone knows that most people don\u2019t fully read installation or licensing agreement text. Furthermore, some potentially unwanted programs can<\/em> act a lot like malware, such as by slowing down your PC or being delivery vehicles for viruses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The symptoms of PUP malware can vary heavily. For example, many potentially unwanted programs run in the background of your PC, slowing down its operations by taking up RAM or CPU processing time. Because of this, you might notice that your computer runs more slowly or has difficulty multitasking compared to previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, other PUPs may induce different symptoms, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many software bundles are themselves packaged with potentially unwanted programs since they do lots of different things at once instead of one big thing. Depending on the software and the goal of its creator, a potentially unwanted program might:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One common thread shared by most PUPs is that they are difficult to uninstall. In fact, you might find a potentially wanted program nearly impossible to uninstall manually since the uninstall button might be hidden, the program may hide itself from your control panel, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PUPs can take the forms of many different types of software, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that this malicious software can appear on all devices, from Apple Macs to WIndows PCs to Android phones and even iPhones. All kinds of devices have cybersecurity vulnerabilities to potentially unwanted applications\/PUAS, as this unwanted software requires the consent of users to be installed in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The easiest way to avoid potentially unwanted programs is to simply never download something you aren’t 100% sure is safe. If someone recommends a free program online, for instance, don’t download it unless it has a sterling reputation and antivirus companies have given it a seal of approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you can also avoid PUPs by following the below practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Say that the worst happens, and your computer gets a few potentially unwanted programs despite your best efforts. You can still remove these programs, even if they make it difficult for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For starters, try using your antivirus software or a good anti-malware program. These security tools can detect and forcibly remove PUPs by scanning devices and deleting applications from scratch. PC Matic is consistently a top-rated antivirus and anti-malware program as rated by the official AV Test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also physically go into your program list by typing in “Add or Remove Programs” in your computer’s search bar. This should bring you up to the control panel section where you can scroll through the list of active programs on your PC and choose to manually uninstall them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note that even after removing one or more PUPs, these programs might still pop up from time to time. They might require multiple uninstallations in order to get rid of them completely. Like the worst viruses, it\u2019s best to avoid getting PUPs installed on your computer in the first place, as there\u2019s never a guarantee you\u2019ll be able to remove them 100%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No! If you simply go into your computer\u2019s hard drive and delete the files for a PUP manually or by hand, you could break the program and make it impossible to remove from your computer with any real certainty. Furthermore, the PUP in question might simply re-download some of its files from the creator the next time you connect to the Internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, follow the PUP removal strategies described above or take your computer to an expert if you require further assistance. In most cases, even the most robust and sticky PUPs can be removed with an anti-malware tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSymptoms of PUP Malware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Do PUPs Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types of PUPs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Avoid PUPs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to Remove PUPs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Should You Delete All PUP Files?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wrap Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n