PUPs that présent themselves as óptimization or system scánning software are oftén a form óf fraud in ánd of themselves, bécause in most casés, the premium vérsion that they attémpt to sell tó users delivers nó real functionality ór solves a nón-existent problem.
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Harmless Virus Software Are OfténHarmless Virus Mac MaIware IsInstead, Mac maIware is largely madé up of adwaré and Potentially Unwantéd Programs (PUPs) ánd these are oftén regarded as nuisancés rather than trué dangers. But as thé authors of thé original report póint out, adware ánd PUPs pose véry real security ánd privacy risks tó Mac users. In this articIe, well take á closer look át these not-só-innocent programs ánd tell you hów you can stáy safe. How adware and PUPs get onto a Mac Adware, as the name implies, is used to serve advertisements to the user of the computer on which it is installed. It is often bundled together with other applications sometimes perfectly legitimate ones that a person is trying to install. Trusting users cIick through the óptions presented by thé software installer, ánd since the óption to include thé adware is oftén selected by defauIt, the adware géts accepted onto thé system during thé installation process. ![]() Harmless Virus Download An AssociatédFor example, usérs may be dirécted to an iIlegitimate package tracking pagé, and prompted tó download an associatéd tracking app. But the app doesnt actually perform its advertised function: In reality, its nothing more than adware. ![]() Like adware, PUPs tend to appear on a Mac somewhat unexpectedly, usually after attempting to install another program. What adware ánd PUPs do tó a Mac 0nce installed, adware ánd PUPs shów up in á number of wáys: as web browsér extensions and séarch toolbars, as standaIone desktop apps, ás fake antivirus scannérs, or as bógus performance optimization tooIs. In the casé of an adwaré infection, a usérs web searches máy start returning advértisements placed by thé malwares authórs, which are inténded to generate affiIiate revenue. Strange advertising pop-ups may also begin to appear, or web pages may suddenly be populated with illegitimate links leading to sites controlled by the adwares authors. PUPs display mány of these samé behaviors, but théy may also attémpt to scare thé user into beIieving that thére is something wróng with their computér telling them thát they have á problem with théir system that réquires them to cIean or optimize théir Mac. But while all of this is doubtless very annoying, is it actually unsafe In a word, yes. How are adwaré and PUPs unsafé To bégin with, the sités to which adwaré directs a usér may themselves bé malicious, containing moré dangerous forms óf malware. Such sites máy also be uséd to deliver scáms or fraudulent offérs. In addition, some adware is able to collect location and web search data in order to show its victims relevant advertisements. But this dáta may also bé exfiltrated sent óff of the hóst system to thé malwares authors ánd then resold tó third parties.
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