Author Topic: Malware and PUPS  (Read 2436 times)

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Offline midnight

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Malware and PUPS
« on: January 25, 2023, 03:21:35 PM »
Does Avast scan for both? ???
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Offline DavidR

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2023, 06:22:24 PM »
You don't say if this is on-access or on-demand scanning  ?
So, its a Yes and No (as essentially they can be/are different).

Whilst avast is considered an antivirus, there are very few true viruses, so much of what is discovered would be considered malicious (Malware).

If you are talking about PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Program)
A PUP, is to a degree in the 'eyes of the user', what is unwanted or wanted by the user.  e.g. did they want it and did they install it.  So in the on-demand scans there is an option to scan for PUPs or not.

Malware should generally be covered by the on-access scanners.  Though they too could be found in on-demand scans.

I suggest that you spend some time looking at the options in the scan settings and the core shield settings.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2023, 10:49:31 PM »
The default settings generally offer the best all around protection.
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Offline midnight

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2023, 08:03:00 PM »
@bob3160

I do use the default settings.

Several days ago over half of my monitor was covered with an ad from Norton Anti virus wanting me to buy their anti-virus.  I restarted my computer several times but the ad was still there.  I scanned with Malwarebytes and it found 34 detections so after I restarted my computer the ad was gone.  I first scanned  with Avast and it didn't find the PUPS.
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Offline Pondus

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2023, 10:20:36 PM »
Quote
I do use the default settings.
1. avast PUP scan used to be default OFF  (i don't use avast anymore so don't know)
2. PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) is not malware
3. Evry security vendor have their own criteria for what they consider pup, so a pup detected by one vendor may not be detected by another


Malwarebytes criteria is listed here: https://www.malwarebytes.com/pup




Offline bob3160

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2023, 05:36:16 PM »
" I scanned with Malwarebytes and it found 34 detections"

Probably why I don't depend on Malwarebytes detections.
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Offline midnight

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2023, 09:31:05 PM »
@bob3160,

It did get rid of that huge ad.  Avast scan didn't find any.

EDIT:typo
« Last Edit: January 29, 2023, 10:42:37 PM by midnight »
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2023, 10:53:46 PM »
@bob3160,

It did get rid of that huge ad.  Avast scan didn't find any.

EDIT:typo
Because there probably aren't any.
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Offline Pondus

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2023, 11:57:06 PM »
@bob3160,

It did get rid of that huge ad.  Avast scan didn't find any.

EDIT:typo
malwarebytes is very good at detecting crap Programs, much better than avast

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2016/10/malwarebytes-gets-tougher-on-pups



Offline midnight

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2023, 12:28:42 AM »
@bob3160,

Avast probably doesn't scan for PUP's.  I'll run Malwarebytes at least once a week.
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Offline bob3160

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2023, 02:04:31 PM »
@bob3160,

Avast probably doesn't scan for PUP's.  I'll run Malwarebytes at least once a week.
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My remarks are also my opinions and need not be yours. :)
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Offline polonus

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2023, 02:08:00 PM »
PUP-detection is not always that straightforward as it is being presented.
It is a bit more complicated as often it seems to the average user.

There are PUPs and PUPs. You should get rid of a Potential Unwanted Program (PUP),
when you did not install it yourself with an intent to use it.

You could use some of these tools(programs) that are not outright malicious.
You could decide to remove bloatware PUPs, or adware-PUPs,
whenever they are or seem a nuisance to you.

That is one side of the story.
Then a adware-scanner may also flag programs and tools,
that became installed by the OS or the hardware vendor (Dell, Lenovo, Acer etc.).
Part of those 34 your scanner came up with probably.
But also came as a feature of the OS like uPNP, better switch it off when not needed.

That is the story, bob3160, is hinting at.
Your comp, your choice. Your insecurity also comes as your choice.

I am glad to have been with avast's all this time,
as I could not have written, what I have written here.

They gave us (bob3160 and me) a platform,
where we have learned loads of stuff over the years from this community.

Thank you, avast for that,

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

Offline bob3160

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Re: Malware and PUPS
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2023, 02:42:22 PM »
I'm not knocking Malwarebytes. If used with some knowledge, it's a great tool.
But, just because MB tags something as a PUP doesn't mean it should be deleted.
Some PUP's are unwanted and others are chosen by the user.
It's knowing what's junk and needs to be removed and what was selected and needs to stay.
Malwarebytes does have the option to not detect items again if you've decided they are safe.
It's up to the individual to know which tools and utilities are safe in the way they are being used and which are not.


 
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