PUP

PUP is an acronym for potentially unwanted program, a type of software that may be unwanted, but is not necessarily malicious. Such programs are often installed inadvertently when downloading and installing other programs, and can be difficult to detect and remove. Some PUPs include additional toolbars and browser extensions, browser hijacking, showing excessive pop-up advertisements, and even collecting personal data.

PUPs can potentially be a source of malicious software. For instance, the installation of a PUP might include a hidden Trojan virus. Additionally, PUPs can introduce vulnerabilities to the system by disabling security options and allowing other malicious software to enter.

PUPs can be spread through multiple methods, including downloading from an untrusted source, malicious websites, emails, or even legitimate-looking advertising.

Most of the time, PUPs are not detected by anti-malware programs and can be hard to remove. To remove a PUP once discovered, the user should refer to the program’s website for instructions. Additionally, the user can use a dedicated malware removal tool to scan for and remove any PUPs.

In some cases, users may choose to avoid PUPs altogether by using caution when downloading and installing software, avoiding clicking on suspicious links and advertisements, and keeping their anti-malware program up-to-date.