VLC media player by VideoLAN is a frequent target of PUP bundling. Companies making free open-source programs usually don’t have the resources to fight legal battles or contact each download site to ask them to unbundle their software, which is why their apps are regularly targeted by PUP makers. Some common examples of PUPs include Savepath Deals, Superfish, V Play, JollyWallet, PDFProof, Clickware, and Easy Speedtest. For example, if you’re downloading a free version of a company’s software, they might bundle legitimate extensions or extra tools into the download. This consent is used to cast legal doubt over whether PUPs are actually unwanted and often discourages cybersecurity companies from defining them as malware.Īlthough PUPs are usually downloaded without the user’s knowledge, they can - occasionally - be useful. While these activities are undesirable, PUPs are still referred to only as “ potentially unwanted programs” because users have formally consented to downloading them. PUPs can harm your device in a variety of ways.

After a PUP has been successfully downloaded, it can: What do PUPs do, exactly?Ī lot of PUP software (though not all) targets and exploits the user. For these reasons, PUPs are neither malware nor viruses. Viruses are a type of malware, and they’re quite different from PUPs.

It’s good practice to learn how to get rid of malware and keep your computer safe. When a program is downloaded to your computer without your consent, it’s malware, not a PUP. Because users have officially agreed to download the full software package - legitimate download and PUPs - the unwanted bloatware programs aren’t labeled as malicious.

Most people don’t thoroughly read these notices and immediately scroll down to agree - and just like that, they’ve installed a PUP. Many third-party download sites bundle legitimate downloads with PUPs, which is legal as long as you agree with the end-user license agreement. PUPs are commonly found in download packages on free, third-party download sites - even otherwise reputable sites that you may frequently visit.

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