Category: Safety | Internet Security

With the ever-changing and advancing technology in today’s world, the majority of our lives are embedded within the virtual world. With this, so much is happening concurrently around us that we sometimes don’t notice. Especially for the non-tech savvy, a lot is going on within our devices and we don’t take notice.

Yet, as much as technology as brought with it benefits to help make our lives efficient, it also brings with it disadvantages such as risks of malware and potentially unwanted programs.

What is a Potentially Unwanted Program?

Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) feature broad descriptions.  A PUP is basically a software that a user doesn’t use or want but consents for it to be downloaded anyways. These programs include adware, spyware or even certain features within the downloaded program you may have consented to without knowing. For example, when you are downloading a program, you may come across a pop up window a few steps before installation.

This pop-up window will have some terms and agreements asking you to consent or boxed options that may already be ticked. The majority of us normally consent to these otherwise suspicious requests without even taking the time to read the information. Sometimes, the programs may be malicious or simply take up extra space. However, generally, PUPs are not designed to penetrate your device to steal personal data or alter personal settings.

Does is Matter if Remove a PUP or Not?

Some proprietors of these programs don’t want them to be termed as malware because the device user or owner normally consents to their download and installation. PUPs do not act like classic malicious programs that damage, lose or steal your data. Thus, many users may ask themselves if it is actually worth their time to remove the PUPs from the device. The answer is yes. You should absolutely remove PUPs from your device.  

These programs are not beneficial to your device in any way, in fact, they simply bring on a nuisance. Plus, there are more reasons to support this recommendation. As much as potentially unwanted programs don’t pose dire risks to your devices, they can still be involved in an array of suspicious and unwanted activities within your windows device.

A PUP will sometimes function as a form of adware. It will do so by adding pop up adverts to clean webpages, post websites with their custom ads and sometimes, even prevent the user from closing down the pop-up ad until a video ad is finished.

Other PUPs will work as the classic adware by watching your online activities and trends, then selling the data to advertisers. Other PUPs change the default homepage of your browser then install a browser toolbar with no value and add bookmarks without the user’s knowledge. Additionally, PUPs can even work to hijack your searches and functions within the device.

These programs do this by redirecting you to their website when you are trying to visit a competitor website. The potentially unwanted programs go as far as changing your search results by inserting their favorable options into the search engine. So yes, PUPs can sometimes be destructed! And so, you must try your level best to prevent them from infecting your device.

How To Prevent PUP infection

The one key difference that PUPs hold compared to other “classic termed” malware attacks is that without your consent, they will never penetrate your device. Consequently, it should be relatively easier to prevent a PUP infection. The first step to reducing the risk of PUP infection is to always take extra precautions when installing free software and programs.

However, due to the lucrative and monetary gain, much of the legitimate software programs that are available for free on Windows do come with PUPs. Thus, if you pay extra attention during the installation process, you can opt to prevent the PUPs from being downloaded as well.

Opting Out of Installing Potentially Unwanted Programs

You should know that there are two ways you can download your software either through a standard or custom installation.

When you pick the custom installation option, the familiar ticked boxes will appear. Take the time to reviews the information that is next to these boxes to ensure no unwanted feature is installed along with the software.

No matter the installation option you are presented with, the custom option is always the best. This is because, through this option, you really get to know what you are installing into your device.

How To Get Rid Of PUP

If by any chance you have downloaded PUPs unknowingly, there is still a way you can remove them from your device. Removing potentially unwanted programs from your windows device isn’t exactly rocket science. There are two very simple ways you can get rid of PUPs. The first option is to invest in an anti-malware program that detects and removes PUPS as well.

Antimalware programs are designed to scan through the device, automatically detect PUPS and delete them from your device instantaneously. Antimalware programs such as Malware Fox is excellent for removing PUPs for your device.

Manual Removal of PUP

The second option is to remove the PUPs from your device manually. To do this, hold down the ALT, CTRL and DELETE keys to bring up the lock screen. Choose the “Task Manager” option, then, enter the “Processes” tab and examine the background applications that are currently running on your windows system.

Take note of the PUP name when you notice it and close down the task manager. The open up the control panel, head to “Uninstall Programs”, type out the PUP name and uninstall it. You should be good to go.

As much as the topic and concept of technology are broad, there is always a way to figure things out. Now that you have found out about PUPs, researching more the topic offers a lot of information on how to tackle the problem. To tackle PUP threats, anti-malware programs also offer detailed tips on how to prevent and address the PUPs on their sites. 

There are currently 6.5 billion smartphone users in the world, each carrying an array of applications in their pocket. Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store combined offer over 8 million apps available for download. While most of the applications in official app stores are considered secure, many malicious programs still find their way to these platforms.

One can never be too careful when downloading mobile apps. On top of raising awareness about potential security issues, it is recommended to implement safety measures to increase data security in general. One of these measures would be using a VPN and connecting to a VPN server to encrypt data and devices, thus preventing cybersecurity threats in time.

Here are a few tips that will help you recognize malicious apps on app stores.

#1. Check for Inappropriate Permissions

The most obvious hint that the application you’re about to install is unsafe is the list of permissions it asks for. Normally, an application will require a set of permissions to operate on a mobile device. For example, a camera app will require permission to use the device’s camera to take photos and videos.

However, if you’re installing a game that has nothing to do with video recording, yet the app still asks for permission to use the camera, you have a reason to be worried. Make sure to check whether the required permissions are aligned with the app’s purpose. If not, look for an alternative app instead.  Learn how to detect and remove PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs)

#2. Look at the Contact Emails

If you check the information about the app developer, you should come across a contact email address. Professional developers would never list a contact address that was opened with a free service such as Gmail or Yahoo!. Therefore, if the email address ends with gmail.com or a similar domain, you are either dealing with a very unprofessional developer or a malicious app.

Even if the app wasn’t malicious, it is most likely low quality, since the developers are not putting enough effort into the project. On the other hand, some apps won’t have any contact addresses listed, which is also a reason to be concerned. If there is no contact email at all, chances are the app is not as legit as you would like it to be.

#3. Read the Description Carefully

Malicious apps designed to scam people and steal information often have very poor descriptions. For instance, if you look at any professionally designed application, you will notice that the app’s listing in the app store is flawless. The description flows naturally, and all of the photos are high resolution.

Suspicious apps, on the other hand, don’t have such professional listings. Make sure to read the app’s description carefully and check for grammar errors or inconsistent wording. Any illogical errors of this sort could point to the fact that the app could be dangerous. If you find any bad language or low-quality images, it’s best to stay away from the app altogether.

#4. Check the Reviews

Users should be exceptionally careful when checking the reviews of said applications. The reviews section is a good place to look for evidence and check whether previous users had any issues with the app. However, one thing you should keep in mind is that the reviews can be staged.

If the app has a poor description and low-quality images, yet it only has five-star reviews, chances are that the developers paid people to write positive reviews without even testing the app. No matter how professional an app is, there should always be a good balance of positive and negative reviews that point to areas that need improvement. Therefore, if the review section is nothing but praise for the seemingly low-quality app, chances are it was staged to fool you.

#5. Google It

Whether it’s the Apple or Google Play, the simplest way to screen for malicious apps and research information is to Google the application you are interested in and check what people have to say about it. There are plenty of review websites out there that take time to test mobile apps and report back on their experience. This is an easy way to check whether any of the previous users had security issues because of a specific application.

Start Paying Attention

According to statistics in the US, 57% of digital media usage comes from mobile applications. We use mobile apps on a daily basis, sometimes even more often than we should. This excessive use of applications gives hackers room to sneak in, steal data, and gain unauthorized access to our accounts. Thus, it is important to stay away from potentially malicious applications that could be hiding in app stores. Another way to stay safe is to invest in a VPN to encrypt your data and browse the internet anonymously.

This article is about malicious apps.  Read about ways to protect your computer as well from ransomware.

And explore was to further protect kids regarding their app data.

Cell phones are a major part of our lives, and getting a new phone can be an exciting time. But just when you’re using the internet there are certain things you need to remember to use your cell phone safely. Here are a few of the most important things to keep in mind.

1. Understand how mobile networks and data work

There’s more than one way to get online with a cell phone: you’ve got your service provider (T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, etc.) with its mobile network (usually LTE) and you can also connect to Wi-Fi. Most phones show which one you’re connected to at the top of the screen.

Mobile networks like LTE can have data limits. If you use up all your data for a month, your service might be slowed down or you might get an extra charge on their bill. You’re probably on a family plan, which means this data is shared among all the members of your family. Talk to everyone on your plan about your data limit and how much you can use each month.

This knowledge will also give you an idea about the functionality of your devices. From connecting my AirPods to streaming videos on my smartphone, understanding your data usage helps you manage your online activities effectively and avoid unexpected fees. Knowing how your device works will make sure you can safely use your phone without any connectivity issues.

2. Remember you can make emergency calls on other networks

No matter what type of network you’re connected to, you can always use your phone to dial 911 in case of an emergency. You can even dial 911 when you have no signal at all if you’re still in a service area of another network. This is important to remember because emergencies can happen anywhere. If you have an iPhone, you can also call for help by holding down the side button (iPhone 8 or later) or pressing it five times (iPhone 7 or earlier).

3. Don’t answer calls or texts from numbers you don’t know

Scam phone calls have become really common in the last couple years. Some phones, like the iPhone, sometimes show “Scam Likely” on the caller ID if this happens. But it’s a good idea to ignore calls and texts from any number you don’t recognize. To make sure you don’t miss an important call, add your friends and family to your contacts so you know who’s calling before you answer. 

4. Never send photos or videos to someone you don’t know

Instead of trying to scam or steal personal information, strangers might ask you for photos or videos of yourself. The person may pretend to be someone you know. Never send photos of yourself to numbers you don’t recognize. This also goes for people on Snapchat or Instagram or other apps. If someone is asking for pictures or videos, take a screenshot and investigate.

5. Talk to an adult about whatever makes you uncomfortable

If you come across something in an app or online that seems strange or makes you feel uncomfortable, discuss it with your someone you trust. This might sound scary, but they want you to be safe while using the internet, and they can explain what you’re seeing and give you advice for dealing with it in the future. And remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

In Conclusion

Cell phones are exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. They give us access to a world of information and entertainment. If you have questions about using your phone, making your phone more safe and secure, or anything you find online, proceed with caution. They can give you advice on how they use their phones and how to stay safe with yours.

Victoria Schmid enjoys writing about technology for the “everyday” person. She is a specialist in online business marketing and consumer technology. She has a background in broadcast journalism.

Let’s be real here: our computers are our lifelines. We work with them. We order things with them. We use them for entertainment. Our phones, tablets, and even iPods are all computers to their core. Our lives are very much revolve around computers. It would be hard to go a full day without them.

If a virus or malware hits your computers, it will be a major hassle to clean and secure your files. Of course, that is if you’re lucky to catch the problem in time. In some cases, your whole computer may be fried with no hope of retrieving any lost data. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

There are ways to protect your computer from the nightmare of spam, viruses, and malware. Common sense goes a long way in preventing the worst from happening. But taking care of a computer doesn’t always have to be a lot of work. It’s much easier than you think. Here are a few tips to save your computer from utter disaster.

Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Programs

The installation of a reliable anti-virus program cannot be stressed enough, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. You should also install a program that specializes in scanning for removing malware. These programs can regularly do a deep scan and clean of your entire computer.

Be careful when installing virus protection and malware cleaners. Some of them are legitimate while others will make the problem even worse. How can you tell you are getting a good program to protect your computer? Do your homework. It doesn’t take much to get on Google to check out which programs are recommended by reputable websites.

Anti-Virus typically focuses on protecting your email. Anti-malware programs are better at block malicious websites you visit or block a session hijacking attack.

Ad blocker is your friend!

Blocking pop-up ads will cut down on the chances of being a victim of computer infections, including ransomware. Ransomware is a nasty program that will hold your computer hostage until you pay up.

Pop-up blockers will lessen the chances of getting all sorts of malware or viruses. As well, your web surfing experience will much smoother. The browser you are using will probably have an ad blocker but you’ll need to activate it.

Back up everything!

In case your computer crashes for any reason, make sure everything backed up. Cloud backup programs have made this much easier. External hard drives are also good for backing up files, whether you set it up automatically or do it manually every once in a while. There is nothing worse than losing your treasured pics and videos when it doesn’t take much effort to copy them to another device.

Having a strong password will help too. Not having a password is like leaving your front door wide open. It’s not wise to have a weak password either. Some sites will require at least one capital letter, one number, and one symbol to be strong. However, many accounts your sign up for are not so picky. Choose a unique password for each of your accounts.

Keep all software up to date.

Out-of-date software is an invitation for malware and viruses. Within all of your computer programs, select “automatic updates” and you won’t have to worry about it. This includes your computer operating systems, whether it be Windows, Mac or any tablet.

For additional protection, a VPN might be a good way to go too. More people are looking for a secure way to enjoy their time on the internet. This will keep out spying eyes for sure. It does not take more to look up how to install a VPN either. Again, just be careful to look for a legitimate VPN system that will not mess up a computer.

Use Comment Sense. In all your online activities, don’t rely on an anti-virus software program to do all the work for you. If an email looks suspicious, don’t click the link or open the attachment. Delete it right away. If a website doesn’t look right, close your browser and don’t visit the site again.

Read about more ways to protect yourself online:

How Browsing Fingerprinting is Used to Track You