Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP), adware or crapware is the terminology we use for free programs that are usually offered with installers, which have nothing to do with the functionality of the program you are trying to install.
Software companies and developers bundle these programs with various unwanted applications to make money. They then promote these programs over the internet to thousands, if not millions, of computer systems.
To be fair and objective, we should mention that there are free programs that are not necessarily malicious.
Popular companies use these distribution methods to increase their user base. The most common technique is with an installer that uses sneaky techniques to confuse users.
Most of the time, Potentially Unwanted Programs change your system settings, such as your browser's homepage or search engine.
For software developers, it's a way to make money. The free version isn't so free, and the Pro version costs money. Usually a paid version of software offers additional features, without adware and crapware.
Recent reports from HTG and Emsisoft indicate that almost all programs available for download from major sites serve Potentially Unwanted Programs.
Emsisoft even provides a list of these sites and the modified programs .
• Download.com – Avast Free Antivirus, AVG Free Antivirus, CCleaner, YAC, KMPlayer, YTD Video Downloader, Advanced System Care Free, DownloadApp, iObit Uninstaller, Free Youtube Downloader
• Filehippo – Adobe Reader, CCleaner, Mozilla Firefox, Picasa, Java, Recuva, Skype, uTorrent, VLC Media Player, WINRAR
• Snapfiles – Avast Free Antivirus, CCleaner, Comodo Internet Security Premium, Auslogics Disk Defrag, Eusing Free Registry Cleaner, Freemake Video Converter, GIMP, PDFX Viewer, Recuva, Revo Uninstaller
• Softonic – Avast Free Antivirus, BSplayer, Mozilla Firefox, Hotspot Shield, Adobe Flash Player, iObit Malware Fighter, Skype, uTorrent, VLC Media Player, YTD Video Downloader
• Softpedia – Google Chrome, Malwarebytes Antimalware, Nero Free, Orca, Super Simple Video Converter, Picasa, Image Burn, Skype, Unlocker, Yahoo Messenger
• Tucows – Express Files, Karaoke Player Software, Network Inventory Advisor, Internet Download Manager, Internet Explorer 8, IrFan View, Internet Explorer 9, Outlook Express, PDF Converter, PDF Reader
• SourceForge – 7Zip, Audacity, Camstudio, DVD Styler, Filezilla, KeePass, Media Player Classic, Process Hacker, Password Safe, VLC Media Player
• Filehorse – Avast Free Antivirus, Advanced System Care Free, Adobe Reader, AVG Free Antivirus, Java, Moborobo, Skype, iTunes, VLC Media Player, Winamp Media Player
• Software Informer – Free Download Manager, Avira Free Antivirus, Avast Free Antivirus, Free 3GP Video Converter, Free MP3 Wma Converter, AVG Free Antivirus, Free Sound Recorder, Free Video to JPG Converter, Free DWG Viewer, 123 Solitaire Free
• Soft32 – Counterstrike, DC++, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Google Earth, Virtual DJ, Internet Explorer 9, Yahoo Messenger, VLC Media Player, MSN
Emsisoft analyzed 10 applications from each of the top download sites such as Download.com, Snapfiles, Sourceforge, Soft32, Softpedia and concluded that in all of them, there is at least one application that contains some kind of Potentially Unwanted Programs or PUP. Download.com, of course, broke all records, as all 10 applications analyzed contained Potentially Unwanted Programs.
Types of Potentially Unwanted Programs
In general, it is necessary to distinguish between two different types of offers:
- Programs that include adware in their installer.
- Programs "re-packaged" from certain sites that include adware.
We cannot say that one type is worse than the other, since both types can cause the same damage to the victim user's system.
You can find clean programs on these download websites that offer modified installers but they are usually very well hidden.
Some programs offered by these websites contain adware right in the developer's installer, so you'll be looking for a "clean" link.
What can you do?
Try to avoid all of the above websites.
If you have the choice between an installer application or a portable version, choose the portable version, as it will not contain adware.
Some sites only offer clean programs. Look for them.
If you ever come across a website that distributes adware in one form or another, boycott the site and tell your friends. Spread the word.
