P.U.P. vs Virus

July 24, 2014 · 0 Comments

After paying every year for an Anti-Virus Software, why am I still having problems and end up at the computer shop all the time?

Computer viruses are small software programs that are designed to spread from one computer to another and to interfere with computer operation.

Through the course of using the Internet and your computer, you may have come in to contact with computer viruses. Many computer viruses are stopped before they can start, but there is still an ever growing concern as to what do computer viruses do and the list of common computer virus symptoms.

A computer virus might corrupt or delete data on your computer, use your email program to spread itself to other computers, or even erase everything on your hard disk.

Computer viruses are often spread by attachments in email messages or instant messaging messages. That is why it is essential that you never open email attachments unless you know who it’s from and you are expecting it.

Viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files.

Computer viruses also spread through downloads on the Internet. They can be hidden in illicit software or other files or programs you might download. To help avoid computer viruses, it’s essential that you keep your computer current with the latest updates and antivirus tools, stay informed about recent threats.

This is why you need a subscription to good anti-virus software.

A good relationship with your Local Computer Center can help keep your system clean of viruses.

Once a virus is on your computer, its type or the method it used to get there is not as important as removing it and preventing further infection

This definition is from Microsoft’s Safety and Security Knowledge Base: http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/virus-whatis.aspx

McAfee and other Anti-Virus Software differentiate PUPs from other types of malware, such as viruses, Trojans, and worms, which can be safely assumed to be unwanted by the user.

Because P.U.P. software is installed in agreement with the user, Anti-Virus Software will not detect it or will ignore the fact that it is being installed.

The way it gets on your computer is as simple as when the user downloads a “known to be perfectly good” software from a site that does not belong to the developer of the software, for example Adobe Products, we all need them, but when a user searches for them on the Internet a slew of results come up in the search. Having the knowledge as to the proper website address will assure a successful download. Getting it from anywhere else will most likely be embedded with other software you don’t want. Below is an example of a “Legitimate Download from Adobe’s Own Website”.

Look at the middle pane. Notice the two check boxes. By just selecting Install Now at the bottom right corner of the screen, you not only have agreed to accept the download of Adobe Reader, but you have also agreed to accept the download of Google Chrome and Google Tool Bar. Did you ask for these two additions? No you did not. These two pieces of software are known as Potentially Unwanted Programs. When the download completes, Google Chrome has now become your default browser, Google Toolbar shows up at the top of all your browsers, your home page and your default search engine has been automatically changed to Google. Other than that, it’s not harmful to your system, but at the same time, without totally being aware of it, changed the way you use your computer. To some, this can be considered malicious!

As far as I’m concerned, you’ve been duped into these programs, they’ve messed with your computer without your knowledge. But wait, you gave them consent by not removing the check marks by simply clicking on them. Who is at fault?

Apply this knowledge to every piece of software out there. Music Players, Video Players, Free Anti-Virus Software, Free “My computer Is Running Slow Software” and you have a mayhem of problems happening on your computer. Oh! Let’s not forget those nasty download’s enticing users on the best deals and where to find the best grocery and shopping coupons. The majority of these downloads are embedded with more software that you didn’t want, most of which are very harmful!

Other than annoying the heck out of you with their annoying pop ups loaded with useless scam information like being infected with over 2000 problems and by spending a little cash it can be fixed, the majority of these malware open backdoors (hidden gateways) to your computer allowing for the potential of very nasty viruses to come into your system. These viruses can literally disable your Anti-virus Software before it has a chance to detect it. But, the main problem is; they monitor your Internet and computer activity, collecting information that at times is vital to your identity, but, in most cases it’s to feed buyers your searching and online buying information for big cash!

Now, imagine, you only downloaded one piece of software legitimately, but four added themselves to the download. Those four have allowed anywhere from 200 to 300 bots into your computer monitoring all your activity. Why is your Internet slow? I wonder! Those 300 not only have to watch you, but, it also has to report to servers around the world their findings. Now you have a slow running computer!

There are many tools that reputable technicians use to clean and eradicate these problems. These tools are available to the public, but, if you are not quite sure as to the diagnostic messaging and troubleshooting terms and processes, using these tools on your own can do more harm than good. Stop relying on your son’s friend from school or your neighbours children to address these issues. Start relying on your local reputable technicians to help you. They have affordable programs that can keep you relatively worry free, and if for any reason are available to you as quick as a phone call.

How do you know if your technician is reputable? When you walk into a doctor’s office, or a lawyer’s office or any professional for that matter, documentation is on the wall to assure everyone walking in that they are qualified professionals. Your technician should provide the same accreditations. If you don’t see any accreditations, ask!

Philip Le Fort,

Sole proprietor and owner ComputerReStore

Shelburne