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Other => General Topics => Topic started by: bexar656 on April 05, 2010, 09:49:15 PM

Title: Scan PUP
Post by: bexar656 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?
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: DavidR 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.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: polonus 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
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: Pondus 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.


Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: Hermite15 on April 05, 2010, 10:50:35 PM
I hate PUPS ;D
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: DavidR on April 05, 2010, 11:24:10 PM
I like the kind with 4 legs and a tail ;D
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: bexar656 on April 06, 2010, 03:33:37 AM
But. My question is still. Should I leave it off or on when I scan.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: DavidR 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.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: YoKenny 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.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: CharleyO on April 07, 2010, 06:45:38 PM
***

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


***
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: bexar656 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?
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: Asyn 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... ;)
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: DavidR 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.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: bexar656 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.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: Hermite15 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.
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: DavidR on April 08, 2010, 05:55:18 PM
OK and thanks to all. I appreicate the help.

You're welcome.

One comment is that it seems that today we spend more time learning how to protect our computer then enjoying them.

You know who to blame for that, the Oiks trying to own your system. Fortunately there are applications like avast to help you with that, which require little or no changes to the default settings for the majority of users. This provides the best balance between protection and performance.

You are never done learning during your life, it it isn't one thing it is another, when you stop learning you probably aren't alive and kicking ;D
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: REDACTED on September 30, 2014, 07:28:04 PM
I too would like to know if I should enable PUP scan as I have to use XP until next year when I can afford to upgrade. Any advice on this please?
Title: Re: Scan PUP
Post by: DavidR on September 30, 2014, 08:20:25 PM
I too would like to know if I should enable PUP scan as I have to use XP until next year when I can afford to upgrade. Any advice on this please?

The information is in this 4 year plus topic for you to decide.

We don't know your experience level and enabling PUPs scanning requires that you have an understanding of what they are and more crucially what is on your system and if you consider it a PUP or not. Enabling PUPs could result in more alerts by avast that you have to make a decision about.