Unwanted Programs
Programs installed without genuine user consent.
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Types of potentially unwanted programs
PUPs include adware, browser parasites, and spyware, each with different behaviors.
Adware
- Serves pop-up ads to the browser
- Annoying but typically not criminal
- Often bundled with free software
- Example: Superfish
Browser parasite
- Monitors and changes browser settings
- Changes home page, tracks visited sites
- Often a component of adware
- Sends info to a remote computer
Spyware
- Captures keystrokes, e-mail, IMs, screenshots
- Steals passwords and confidential data
- Serious threat to e-commerce users
- Hard to detect and remove
Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) include three main types. Adware serves pop-up ads to the browser (annoying but usually not criminal). Browser parasites monitor and change browser settings, such as the home page, and send information about visited sites to a remote computer. Spyware is the most dangerous: it captures keystrokes, e-mail, instant messages, and screenshots, stealing passwords and confidential data.
Explanation: Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) include three main types. Adware serves pop-up ads to the browser (annoying but usually not criminal). Browser parasites monitor and change browser settings, such as the home page, and send information about visited sites to a remote computer. Spyware is the most dangerous: it captures keystrokes, e-mail, instant messages, and screenshots, stealing passwords and confidential data.