The Possibly Unsolicited programs (Potentially Unwanted Programs or PUPs), adware or crapware is the terminology we use for free programs that usually come with installers, that have nothing to do with the functionality of the program you are trying to install.
Software companies and developers "package" these programs to earn money with various unwanted applications. They are promoting these programs with the help of the Internet in thousands, not to say in millions of computer systems.
To be fair and objective we must say that there are free programs that are not necessarily malicious.
Popular companies use these distribution methods to increase their base data of their users. 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 homepage or search service.
For software developers, it's a way to make money. The free version is not so free of charge, and the Pro version costs it. Usually a paid software version offers additional features, without adware and crapware.
Recent reports from HTG and Emsisoft indicate that almost all programs available for download from large sites serve Potentially Unwanted Programs.
H Emsisoft even gives a list of these sites and processed 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, 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 the top 10 applications from every top download site 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 PUPs. Download.com, of course, broke all the records, as all 10 analyzed applications contained Potentially Unwanted Programs.
Types of Potentially Unwanted Programs
In general, it is necessary to distinguish between the two different types of offers:
- Programs that include adware in their own installation program.
- "Re-packaged" programs from certain sites that include adware.
We can not say that one type is worse than the other, since both types can cause the same damage to the victim's system.
You can find clean programs on these download sites that offer modified installers but are usually very well hidden.
Some programs offered by these websites contain adware immediately to the developer's developer, so if you are looking unfairly for the "clean" link.
What can you do
Try to avoid all the above websites.
If you have the choice between an application with a installer or a portabled version, prefer the portable version as it will not contain adware.
Some sites only offer clean programs. Search for them.
If you ever come across a website that distributes adware in one form or another, boycott the site by telling your friends. Spread the new one.
