Jump to content

How do you prevent PUPs?

Hyperwolf122
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hyperwolf122

Hyperwolf122

Posted
Posted

So I'm using Malwarebytes, a adblock, malwarebytes adwcleaner, and malwarebytes chrome extension and I thought for sure that PUPs wouldn't get in but I scanned a few hours ago and I got 3 PUPs and I know they aren't malicious but how do you at all prevent them or are they normal? this is more so on just a general question honestly.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Hyperwolf122

Hyperwolf122

Posted
  • Author
Posted
2 minutes ago, David H. Lipman said:

Avoid software that bundles other software.

If a particular software does bundle, never accept the default installation options.  Choose the Advanced installation option and deselect the added,  bundled, software.

 

Yeah that's actually a good idea, i haven't downloaded any software in a long time and I've scanned with the adwcleaner daily do you know how it might've gotten on there?

Link to post
Share on other sites
David H. Lipman

David H. Lipman

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Hyperwolf122 said:

... do you know how it might've gotten on there?

The quantity is undefined.  Thus I can only provide a generality.  Potentially Unwanted Software ( PUP ) is usually placed on a system via the Bundling process.  You download Program A but it bundles Program B and Program C with it so when you install Program A the others are also installed.  You have to make a conscious effort to not install Program B and Program C.

 

Link to post
Share on other sites
Hyperwolf122

Hyperwolf122

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just now, David H. Lipman said:

The quantity is undefined.  Thus I can only provide a generality.  Potentially Unwanted Software ( PUP ) is usually placed on a system via the Bundling process.  You download Program A but it bundles Program B and Program C with it so when you install Program A the others are also installed.  You have to make a conscious effort to not install Program B and Program C.

 

Next time I install software I'll make sure to fully read the terms and services and what softwares it bundles instead of skipping through since I have definitely been guilty of that, can websites also install PUPs? I remember hearing it somewhere but I'm not sure if that's fully a true thing?

Link to post
Share on other sites
David H. Lipman

David H. Lipman

Posted
Posted

Just visiting a web site will not install a standalone application.  However, there are web sites that offer Add-Ons and Plug-Ins to Browsers.  They too may be PUPs.  Don't allow un-vetted web sites to install Browser Add-Ons and Plug-Ins.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Hyperwolf122

Hyperwolf122

Posted
  • Author
Posted
1 minute ago, David H. Lipman said:

Just visiting a web site will not install a standalone application.  However, there are web sites that offer Add-Ons and Plug-Ins to Browsers.  They too may be PUPs.  Don't allow un-vetted web sites to install Browser Add-Ons and Plug-Ins.

Thanks for informing me on this! I'll definitely be more careful with this stuff!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Hyperwolf122

Hyperwolf122

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Just now, Porthos said:

That is why The paid version would have prevented those PUP's from being installed in the first place.

That is actually true, at the moment I can't afford the full version but very soon in the future I will definitely get the full version and along with being more cautious I hopefully won't have any more detections of PUPs in adwcleaner 

Link to post
Share on other sites
exile360

exile360

Posted
Posted (edited)

The closest thing (besides the add-ons/extensions/plugins David mentioned above, which are quite common (also beware of fake "Flash Player" updates and similar scams and only download known valid plugins/updates from their original sources) would be exploits, which are essentially malicious scripts that run inside web browsers and often attempt to exploit a known vulnerability within the browser or one of the legitimate plugins you might have installed (such as Flash Player, Adobe Reader, Java etc.), however the Exploit Protection in Malwarebytes Premium is very good at stopping these kinds of 'drive-by' attacks as they are often called because it does not rely on any sort of signatures and instead looks at exploit behavior to generically block any exploit attacks in their tracks before they can do any harm to your system (including preventing them from downloading and executing any files/installers etc.) and Malwarebytes is very good at detecting PUPs as well thanks to Malwarebytes' aggressive stance on PUPs, which is much more aggressive than most other security vendors.

I would also recommend the Malwarebytes browser extension beta as it is very good at stopping online scams such as tech support scam sites and many of the common types of fake/PUP browser plugin sites that try to convince you to install browser extensions that you shouldn't by making them appear to be legitimate updates for things like Flash etc. as I mentioned before.  The extension is free so you don't need to wait to afford it; you can install it right now and put it to work at helping to protect your system.  You can find out more and download the Malwarebytes browser extension beta at the following links; it is available for both Google Chrome (as well as other Chromium based browsers such as SRWare Iron and Vivaldi) as well as Mozilla Firefox:

Chrome
Firefox

Edited by exile360
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
Back to top
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This site uses cookies - We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.