What is “Potentially Unwanted Program”?

A Potentially Unwanted Program (shortly PUP or PUA) is an application that can contain adware, toolbars, or has other unuseful functions.

The term “Potentially Unwanted Program” was offered by McAfee to avoid labeling downloadable programs as malware. What makes such PUPs different from threats or malware? When you get a program from the Internet and forget to read the EULA, you might fail to recognize what various unwanted programs are being downloaded. Mostly, these Potentially Unwanted Programs are adware or internet browser hijackers. These unwanted programs change your default homepage and default search engine or show you not relevant ads.

Here are indicators that you have Potentially Unwanted Programs on your PC:

Unwanted advertisements in places they should not be.
Website links redirect to websites various from what you expected.
Browser popups show up which recommend fake updates or various other software.
Your default homepage has mysteriously changed.
Various other strange apps may be installed without your permission.

Click any title to read information about PUP.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, try using the search bar to find a specific threat.

Wilbur Woodham

IT Security Expert

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer's work, the proverb "Forewarned is forearmed" describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.