What is a PUP Malware? | How to Remove PUP Virus from Devices

May 30, 2019 | By admin

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Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) are software programs that you had no intention of downloading. The PUP virus, also known as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA), junkware, or bundleware, mostly come with software that you planned to download. This virus software gets installed in your system when you click on an installation without reading the fine print, thus agreeing to these extra applications. The only way to clean your PC and prevent such PUP virus attacks is to install and use a good antivirus software that will help in providing an efficient virus scanning and virus removal process.

However, to be extra cautious of what you are clicking and avoid unnecessary downloads, you will have to be aware of a few key signs that indicate that you have a PUP virus on your computer:

Website links get redirected to websites that the user had not intended to visit.
Browser pop-ups will recommend false updates or other software.
Advertisements appear in unwanted places.
Unwanted programs could get installed without the user’s knowledge.
Web browser’s homepage suddenly changes without the user’s permission.
Web pages regularly visited by a user do not get displayed properly.

How Does PUP Virus Enter Your Computer?

PUP virus enters your system through download portals, and the only way to prevent such a scenario is to focus and download files by using a good antivirus software. This virus removal tool will need to enable the PUP virus Detection feature that will help in verifying the file name and analyzing whether it is the correct software. Besides entering via download portals, the PUP virus also makes their entry through several other techniques. One such technique refers to “Dark Patterns,” user interfaces designed to trick people. One simple example of a dark pattern refers to a newsletter in which you find it difficult to detect the unsubscribe button.

How to Prevent the Entry of PUP Virus

The entry of the PUP virus into your PC can be prevented by adopting the following measures:

- Carefully reading through EULAs
  The End User License Agreements (EULAs) that come with any download are legal contracts between you and the developers of the software programs you desire to download. Most people skip reading these legal contracts and straightaway click the “I accept” button. Many of us don’t understand that EULAs are used as targets through which the developers of a PUP virus can legally slip their programs onto your PC. To avoid such a scenario, we should never accept terms of use that are meant for bundled programs. Always read the top title above the fine print just to make sure that the EULA you are accepting is only for the program you initially downloaded. However, you can always decline it and still move on with the installation process in case you find any discrepancies later.

- Fake updates
  Sometimes, you could come across updates frequently pushed via temporarily developed websites that mostly serve Open Source software, enveloped in downloaders that remind users to update their Java, Service Pack, Flash Player, etc. There are several companies that develop huge numbers of websites every day just to trick the user and create traffic to their website. The best solution for this issue is to click “Decline” and then untick the checkboxes, if any.

- Take time to clearly read install wizard instructions
  After downloading a particular software, an installation wizard will take you through the whole installation process. The install wizard here refers to a series of dialog boxes that guide you step by step through the whole installation process.The PUP virus is capable of hiding in the install wizard because their developers understand that most users just skim through the installation steps while launching their intended program. To protect your PC from a PUP virus, refrain from accepting express, standard, default, and several other installation settings that are recommended. Make sure to always choose custom.

- Boost up PC security
  It is highly recommended that you get valuable assistance from cybersecurity and antivirus programs. To get the best protection from a PUP virus, go in for a reliable and efficient virus removal software, like Comodo Antivirus, that can scan for and protect your PC from a PUP virus, trojans, adware, and spyware, along with other malware varieties that could compromise your privacy.
Comodo Antivirus provides the following security features for your computer:
- - VirusScope
    This technology permits computer users to undo changes that appear to be malicious. Computers might have recorded these changes because of malicious actors.
- - Efficient Whitelisting
    This security feature marks specific files as trustworthy and gives them default access.
- - Cloud-Based Behavior Analysis — Valkyrie
    The increase in zero-day malware is eventually increasing the need for a cloud-based behavior analysis system capable of keeping up with the latest malware.
- - Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS)
    This security feature allows the Comodo virus removal tool to thoroughly monitor your PC and prevent the entry of malicious attacks. A set of behavior analyzers is used for executing the search.
- - Default Deny Approach
    This feature prevents all files from entering the computer until they establish themselves to be harmless.
- - Containment
    This technology is used for backing the default deny approach by “containing” or “restraining” files and running all these files in a separate environment. This is done until the files prove themselves to be harmless.
  Download Comodo Antivirus and protect your computer from a PUP virus.
  
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