PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml — Puwaders PUA Removal

Written by Wilbur Woodham

PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml is a detection name used by Microsoft Defender Antivirus to identify a potentially unwanted application (PUA) known as Puwaders. PUAs are software programs that are not classified as outright malware but may exhibit behaviors that users find undesirable or potentially harmful. These applications often come bundled with other software or may be downloaded unintentionally by users.

Puwaders is categorized as a PUA because it may display excessive advertisements, redirect web browsers to unwanted sites, collect user data without proper consent, or use deceptive tactics to trick users into installing other software. While it may not cause direct harm to the system like typical malware, it can negatively impact the user’s browsing experience and privacy.

It is essential to be cautious when installing software and to download applications only from trusted sources. Additionally, using Gridinsoft Anti-malware can help detect and remove potential PUAs like Puwaders to ensure a safer and more secure computing environment.

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What is PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml?

If your computer is alerted by Windows Defender about the presence of the PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml virus, do not ignore it. Take immediate action to safeguard your device.

These virus threats often infiltrate through spam emails, infected websites, or by clicking on links in emails. Once installed on your system, PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml spreads through Windows System files, granting it access to all the information on your computer and even allowing it to take control.

Windows Defender will continue to alert you about the malware until you address the issue promptly. It is crucial to remove such threats from your computer to ensure its safety.

Here are some symptoms experienced by users whose devices are infected with PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml:

  • Sudden disruptions in internet connection and application performance.
  • Computer freezes or experiences slowdowns.
  • Difficulty in opening documents or accessing files.
  • Unusual popup ads appearing online or while browsing.
  • Increased overheating and CPU usage.

What is PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml detection mean?

The PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml detection you can see in the lower right side is shown to you by Microsoft Defender. That anti-malware application is quite OK at scanning, but prone to be mainly unstable. It is unprotected to malware attacks, it has a glitchy interface and problematic malware removal features. Thus, the pop-up which says about the Puwaders is simply a notification that Defender has actually found it. To remove it, you will likely need to make use of a separate anti-malware program.

PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml found

Microsoft Defender: “PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml”

PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml unwanted program is a case in point of PUA, which are pretty common nowadays. Being free to use, it can offer you “the extended functions” for the additional payment. Some instances of this program type can have no real functions whatsoever – just the shell with the colorful interface. You can see it advertised as a system optimization software, driver updater or torrent downloadings tracker. This or another way it does not bring you any kind of real capability, exposing you to risk instead.

Detections like these are highly dangerous as they can be used to compromise other users’ privacy credentials and financial information.

If you suspect that your computer is affected by this specific virus, it is crucial to remove it immediately.

The detection name format aligns with how Windows Defender describes its discovered threats, making it clear that Windows Defender identified the PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml on your computer.

Typically, Windows Defender is sufficient to remove the detected threat, requiring only a click on the quarantine button to initiate the removal process.

However, in certain circumstances where Windows Defender is unable to eliminate the malware, you may opt to use Gridinsoft Anti-malware to remove it effectively.

Unwanted Program Summary:

Name Puwaders PUA
Detection PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml
Damage Puwaders is at least useless, or can perform various malicious actions on your PC.
Fix Tool See If Your System Has Been Affected by Puwaders exploit

Is PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml dangerous?

I have already specified that PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml PUA is not as trustworthy as it pretends to be. The “legitimate and effective” tool can abruptly unveil itself as a downloader trojan, spyware, backdoor, or coin miner malware. And you can never forecast what to look for even from separate variants of Puwaders unwanted program. That still does not say that you need to panic – possibly, this nasty thing has not succeeded to do bad things to your computer.

The particular damage to your system may be created not just because of the malware injection. A considerable share of suspicious programs, like the Puwaders app is, is just badly developed. Potentially, their actions are fairly useful than pointless if done on particular system setups, but not on each one. That’s how an uncomplicated system optimization program can cause disorder with continuous BSODs on your system. Any interruptions to the system registry are dangerous, and they are a lot more risky if performed with such programs.

How did I get this virus?

It is hard to line the origins of malware on your PC. Nowadays, things are mixed up, and spreading methods utilized by adware 5 years ago can be used by spyware nowadays. However, if we abstract from the exact distribution tactic and will think of why it works, the explanation will be really uncomplicated – low level of cybersecurity understanding. Individuals click on ads on weird sites, open the pop-ups they get in their browsers, call the “Microsoft tech support” assuming that the weird banner that says about malware is true. It is very important to know what is legitimate – to prevent misunderstandings when trying to find out a virus.

Microsoft tech support scam

The example of Microsoft Tech support scam banner

Nowadays, there are two of the most widespread tactics of malware distribution – bait e-mails and injection into a hacked program. While the first one is not so easy to avoid – you must know a lot to understand a counterfeit – the 2nd one is easy to handle: just don’t use cracked applications. Torrent-trackers and various other sources of “free” applications (which are, in fact, paid, but with a disabled license checking) are really a giveaway place of malware. And PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml is simply amongst them.

How to remove the PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml from my PC?

PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml malware is very hard to delete by hand. It stores its documents in numerous places throughout the disk, and can restore itself from one of the elements. Furthermore, a number of modifications in the windows registry, networking configurations and Group Policies are pretty hard to locate and revert to the initial. It is far better to use a special tool – exactly, an anti-malware program. GridinSoft Anti-Malware will definitely fit the best for malware elimination objectives.

Why GridinSoft Anti-Malware? It is pretty lightweight and has its detection databases updated practically every hour. Moreover, it does not have such problems and weakness as Microsoft Defender does. The combination of these details makes GridinSoft Anti-Malware ideal for clearing away malware of any form.

Remove the viruses with GridinSoft Anti-Malware

  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware. After the installation, you will be offered to perform the Standard Scan. Approve this action.
  • PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml in the scan process

  • Standard scan checks the logical disk where the system files are stored, together with the files of programs you have already installed. The scan lasts up to 6 minutes.
  • PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml in the scan results

  • When the scan is over, you may choose the action for each detected virus. For all files of Puwaders the default option is “Delete”. Press “Apply” to finish the malware removal.
  • PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml - After Cleaning
How to Remove PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml Malware

Name: PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml

Description: If you have seen a message showing the “PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml found”, it seems that your system is in trouble. The Puwaders virus was detected, but to remove it, you need to use a security tool. Windows Defender, which has shown you this message, has detected the malware. However, Defender is not a reliable thing - it is prone to malfunction when it comes to malware removal. Getting the PUA:Win32/Puwaders.C!ml malware on your PC is an unpleasant thing, and removing it as soon as possible must be your primary task.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: PUA

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About the author

Wilbur Woodham

I was a technical writer from early in my career, and consider IT Security one of my foundational skills. I’m sharing my experience here, and I hope you find it useful.

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