Author Topic: Scan PUP  (Read 40144 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

bexar656

  • Guest
Scan PUP
« on: April 05, 2010, 09:49:15 PM »
I've just noticed in Scan it says Scan PUP then on or off. Can anyone tell me what PUP is and should it be on durring a scan?

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88897
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2010, 09:58:24 PM »
Potentially Unwanted Program.

Some programs/tools can have a dual purpose, so if you enable this scanning you have to know what the program/tool is and what it is used for and more importantly if 'you' installed it.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

Offline polonus

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Probably Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 33891
  • malware fighter
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2010, 10:17:00 PM »
Hi bexar656.

Basically what DavidR says, additionally the term PUP was created by McAfee because software developers opposed to their software being called "spyware". A PUP is considered a security risk on your machine if you have not installed it intentionally yourself and know what the risks are to have it excluded from being scanned. A PUP that is being maneuvered onto your machine by a malcreant or malicious program is really unwanted and  should be removed,

polonus
Cybersecurity is more of an attitude than anything else. Avast Evangelists.

Use NoScript, a limited user account and a virtual machine and be safe(r)!

Offline Pondus

  • Probably Bot
  • ****
  • Posts: 37506
  • Not a avast user
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2010, 10:25:09 PM »
Quote:

DEFINITION - A PUP
(potentially unwanted program) is a program that may be unwanted, despite the possibility that users consented to download it.
PUPs include spyware, adware, and dialers, and are often downloaded in conjunction with a program that the user wants.

The term was created by McAfee, the Internet Security company, because marketing firms objected to having their products called "spyware": in the view of such firms, all the information necessary for informed consent is included in the download agreement. It is widely recognized, however, that many if not most users fail to read a download agreement in sufficient detail to understand exactly what they are downloading.

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



Hermite15

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #4 on: April 05, 2010, 10:50:35 PM »
I hate PUPS ;D

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88897
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #5 on: April 05, 2010, 11:24:10 PM »
I like the kind with 4 legs and a tail ;D
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

bexar656

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2010, 03:33:37 AM »
But. My question is still. Should I leave it off or on when I scan.

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88897
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2010, 03:51:49 AM »
We have given you the information on what the impact of making that change could be, the decision has to be yours.

Here's another clue, see image of my settings.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2010, 03:54:06 AM by DavidR »
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

YoKenny

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2010, 03:01:00 PM »
@  bexar656

Go to PROFILE then Modify Profile then Forum Profile Information then Signature: and put information about your system just like my signature about your system just like my signature so that the helpers can offer pertinent advice.

In Account Related Settings select Hide email address from public to prevent scammers and spammers harvesting your yahoo.com email address.

If its good enough for DavidR an avast! Überevangelist then its good enough fro me as well.

I have scanning for PUPs enabled.

CharleyO

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #9 on: April 07, 2010, 06:45:38 PM »
***

I also have scanning for PUPs on as I do not want PUPs on my computer.


***

bexar656

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2010, 06:23:49 AM »
I'm confused or I'm reading something wrong so please bear with me.

Reference DavidR.  "See image of my settings."  Scan for potentally unwanted programs (PUPs). 
Box is unchecked. 

Ref: YoKenny.  "If it's good enough for DavidR then it's good enough for me." "I have scanning for PUMPs enabled." 

Doesn't an unchecked box mean it's not enabled?

Offline Asyn

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 76037
    • >>>  Avast Forum - Deutschsprachiger Bereich  <<<
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2010, 10:50:56 AM »
Doesn't an unchecked box mean it's not enabled?

Yes. Maybe they want to tell you, to do as you like... ;)
W8.1 [x64] - Avast Free AV 23.3.8047.BC [UI.757] - Firefox ESR 102.9 [NS/uBO/PB] - Thunderbird 102.9.1
Avast-Tools: Secure Browser 109.0 - Cleanup 23.1 - SecureLine 5.18 - DriverUpdater 23.1 - CCleaner 6.01
Avast Wissenswertes (Downloads, Anleitungen & Infos): https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=60523.0

Offline DavidR

  • Avast Überevangelist
  • Certainly Bot
  • *****
  • Posts: 88897
  • No support PMs thanks
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2010, 04:02:38 PM »
I'm confused or I'm reading something wrong so please bear with me.

Reference DavidR.  "See image of my settings."  Scan for potentally unwanted programs (PUPs). 
Box is unchecked. 
<snip>
Doesn't an unchecked box mean it's not enabled?

That is the default setting, unchecked is not enabled, I took the view if it was fine for the avast default setting it was fine for me ;D
Of course I am relatively confident that I don't have any PUPs on my system in the first place other than those which I have installed, that might not be the case for all users. So what I would say for most is that you stick with the default settings for a period of time whilst getting used to the program and how it works.

The other thought is if you don't know what a PUP is and you enable this option, then your response to the detection, might be more frightening that what the alert is on.
Windows 10 Home 64bit/ Acer Aspire F15/ Intel Core i5 7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD, 1TB HDD/ avast! free 24.2.6105 (build 24.2.8918.824) UI 1.0.799/ Firefox, uBlock Origin, uMatrix/ MailWasher Pro/ Avast! Mobile Security

bexar656

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2010, 05:27:26 PM »
OK and thanks to all. I appreicate the help. One comment is that it seems that today we spend more time learning how to protect our computer then enjoying them.

Hermite15

  • Guest
Re: Scan PUP
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2010, 05:39:36 PM »
OK and thanks to all. I appreicate the help. One comment is that it seems that today we spend more time learning how to protect our computer then enjoying them.

that's not true ;) once you got the right setup (ie the one that suits your needs) modern security software spare you the need to bother about security. There's still some mandatory maintenance, but that's minimal.