Computer software which can be perceived as unwanted and/or harmful
A potentially unwanted program (PUP) or potentially unwanted application (PUA) is software that a user may perceive as unwanted or unnecessary. It is used as a subjective tagging criterion by security and parental control products. Such software may use an implementation that can compromise privacy or weaken the computer's security. Companies often bundle a wanted program download with a wrapper application and may offer to install an unwanted application, and in some cases without providing a clear opt-out method. Antivirus companies define the software bundled as potentially unwanted programs[1][2] which can include software that displays intrusive advertising (adware), or tracks the user's Internet usage to sell information to advertisers (spyware), injects its own advertising into web pages that a user looks at, or uses premium SMS services to rack up charges for the user.[3][1] A growing number of open-source software projects have expressed dismay at third-party websites wrapping their downloads with unwanted bundles, without the project's knowledge or consent. Nearly every third-party free download site bundles their downloads with potentially unwanted software.[4] The practice is widely considered unethical because it violates the security interests of users without their informed consent. Some unwanted software bundles install a root certificate on a user's device, which allows hackers to intercept private data such as banking details, without a browser giving security warnings. The United States Department of Homeland Security has advised removing an insecure root certificate, because they make computers vulnerable to serious cyberattacks.[5] Software developers and security experts recommend that people always download the latest version from the official project website, or a trusted package manager or app store.
^ ab"PUP Criteria". Malwarebytes. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
^"Rating the best anti-malware solutions". Arstechnica. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2014.
of preventing illicit copying. Potentiallyunwantedprograms (PUPs) are applications that would be considered unwanted despite often being intentionally...
The Unwanted Undead Adventurer (Japanese: 望まぬ不死の冒険者, Hepburn: Nozomanu Fushi no Bōkensha) is a Japanese light novel series written by Yū Okano and illustrated...
OpenCandy was an adware module and a potentiallyunwantedprogram classified as malware by many anti-virus vendors. They flagged OpenCandy due to its undesirable...
2022-11-18. "Ease of installation". VPNpro. Retrieved 2022-11-18. "PotentiallyUnwantedProgram". Techopedia. 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18...
IObit Uninstaller is a computer program uninstaller for Microsoft Windows developed by IObit Inc. It is used to completely uninstall applications and...
extension. Internet portal AdGuard adware Advertising management Potentiallyunwantedprogram "Index of /releases". Index of /releases. Adblock. Archived from...
MegaPanzer – Trojan horses that used file binders for distribution. Potentiallyunwantedprogram – sometimes have used file binders for distribution. "What Is...
feature. In 2003, antispyware program Spybot classified WildTangent's original WebDriver as a potentiallyunwantedprogram. In 2011, WildTangent challenged...
specializing in unwanted software which includes advertising and user tracking software, commonly referred to as a potentiallyunwantedprogram, adware, privacy-invasive...
an advertising software module classified as a potentiallyunwantedprogram (PUP) or potentiallyunwanted application (PUA) by some anti-malware products...
transfers it to a third party. This toolbar has been identified as PotentiallyUnwantedPrograms (PUPs) by Malwarebytes and is typically bundled with free downloads...
applications. The toolbar program appears to cause significant RAM issues and can be considered an intrusive potentiallyunwantedprogram (PUP). Once installed...
Android and Apple iOS. The Foxit installer was bundled with potentiallyunwantedprograms like the Ask Toolbar and OpenCandy which installed the browser-hijacking...
computers from such threats as adware, browser hijackers, worms, potentiallyunwantedprograms (PUPs), trojans, and viruses. Currently available only for Microsoft...
April 2017. the programs is bundled with several other applications, some of which were already flagged as PUPs (PotentiallyUnwantedPrograms), and are being...
reminiscent of a potentiallyunwantedprogram (PUP), problems uninstalling the add-on have been widely reported, and the add-on could potentially make an internet...
Malware Fighter (introduced in 2004) is an anti-malware and anti-virus program for the Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows XP and later). It is...
of ImgBurn (current as of 2022[update]) includes OpenCandy, a potentiallyunwantedprogram/adware. DVD Decrypter AnyDVD Digital Millennium Copyright Act...
have identified and analyzed logs that have been classified as potentiallyunwantedprogram and exposed a range of unauthorized activities conducted by RESIP...
low-cost AM radio introduced in 1925 Pup tent, an older tent style Potentiallyunwantedprogram, a category of generally harmless software installed on a system...
and/or unanticipated components and offers (which are known as potentiallyunwantedprograms) are marked as such. Softpedia does not repack software for...
and Linux using wxWidgets. Recent versions are bundled with PotentiallyUnwantedPrograms that may accidentally be installed unless care is taken during...
version adds watermark. 1.^ ^ ^ ^ This software has risk of installing potentiallyunwantedprograms. For more information, refer to its main article....
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