“PUPs can change your web browser’s homepage and search settings and even redirect websites you try to visit. They can litter your browser with toolbars and install questionable PC cleaners and optimizers. They can also bombard you with ads that are often illegitimate and lead to further infestation of malware or viruses.”
Probably the most common request for PC service I am currently fielding is to speed up a slow computer and do a general clean-up. Far more often than not, PUPs are at the heart of the problem. There may be the odd Trojan or other piece of serious malware involved, but a collection of unwanted programs is usually sufficient to generate constant pop-ups and in general bring a computer to its knees.
In this article, I am going to tell you how to find and remove PUPs from your Windows computer if you are brave enough to try. Since there are many versions of Windows out in the world, I will have to speak in general terms.
First, find the clickable button that takes you to your Control Panel. Once in Control Panel, look for Add/Remove Programs (in Windows XP) or in later versions you may need to look for ‘Uninstall A Program’ which may reside under the heading of ‘Programs and Features’. You want to click on Uninstall a Program. Once there, the system may take a minute or so to display all installed programs.
A word of caution is in order here. Do not be overly aggressive and start removing programs willy-nilly or you may end up with functions and features that no longer work. Instead, limit your program removal following my guidelines. Here is a list of the PUPs I see most frequently. The list is not fully comprehensive due to the sheer number of possibilities, but you would be well advised to remove the following if present:
Ask Toolbar and Updater.
Browser Address Redirector
Browser Safeguard with Rocket Tab
CursorXP
Delta Toolbar
Driver Restore
Driver Update
Ffdshow
Filila PC Optimizer
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer (known brand but unnecessary)
Hi-def Media Player
Hilightly
Inbox Toolbar
IoBit’s Advanced System Care (you don’t need it)
MapsGalaxy Toolbar (and anything else by Mindspark Interactive)
McAfee Security Scan Plus (known brand but unnecessary)
MyPCBackup
Optimizer Pro
PC Power Speed
Radio Rage
Real Deal
Rebate Informer
RegClean Pro
Reg Cure Pro
Search App by Ask
Search Protect by Conduit (particularly nasty)
Sendori
Site Ranker
Snap.Do (particularly nasty)
Social Privacy
Social Privacy DNS
Speedial
Storm Alerts
Superfast PC
TV Fanatic Toolbar
VideoDownloadConverter
Video Helper
WeatherBlink
WebGet
WiseConvert Toolbar
Zip Opener Packages and Updater
This is by no means a complete list, just those that I run into most often. Some of these programs test your patience when you try to install them. I suspect they have embedded delays to make you throw up your hands and close Control Panel’s Uninstall Programs application. But don’t give up, be patient. If in fact a program refuses to uninstall, then I bring in the heavy artillery, a free program called Revo Uninstaller, which you can download here: http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html
After I have finished uninstalling the PUPs, I then update and run MalwareBytes (www.malwarebytes.org) and CCleaner (www.piriform.com). Both of these programs have free versions which will suffice for cleaning up after PUPs – the computer kind. If you do install the free version of MalwareBytes, uncheck the option that enables a 30-day trial. On the other hand, purchasing their Premium version for $25 is one of the best investments you can make for your Windows computer, as it will work with your anti-virus program to keep malware away, and it will update itself daily and run automated scans to help keep PUPs from living inside your computer.
Lastly, you need to go into your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.) and use the options feature to make sure your home page is correct. Many of the PUPs above will change your home page and default search engine, and you will need to manually adjust those. In Chrome and Firefox, you’ll also want to review your Extensions to make sure any of the extensions that were installed by PUPs get removed.
The furry pups can be great fun and will show their affection by licking you. But when it comes to computer PUPS, you need to lick them.