PUP, short for potentially unwanted program, is a term to describe a software application that may have been installed on a user’s computer without consent or which performs activities that adversely affect the user’s system performance or privacy. It may sometimes be referred to as a “grayware” or “junkware” application.
The behavior of PUPs may include advertising pop-ups, manipulating web browser settings, hijacking search engine results, or harassing users with unwanted notifications, prompting them to purchase or activate a license. Some PUPs can even use keyloggers or spyware, sending user data back to the application’s author.
Most anti-virus software has the ability to detect and remove PUPs, however they can be difficult to identify given their continuously changing behavior and feature sets. It is recommended that users regularly scan their computers and update their anti-virus software, as well as be aware of suspicious websites and links.
