What are PUPs?
PUPs - or Potentially Unwanted Programs - are programs which do not directly harm your data, but are normally unwanted by most users.
Some PUPs will show false issues, and claim that a premium version can fix them:
PUPs are sometimes bundled with other (often legitimate) software, or can be installed directly.
The Unwanted Program Removal Tool can remove some PUPs
For more information:
- Malwarebytes's definition: https://www.malwarebytes.com/pup
- Microsoft's definition: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/criteria
- Emsisoft's definition: https://blog.emsisoft.com/en/2563/what-is-a-pup/
- ESET's definition: https://support.eset.com/en/kb2629-what-is-a-potentially-unwanted-application-or-potentially-unwanted-content
- Bitdefender's definition: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/26046/
- Sophos's definition: https://www.sophos.com/en-us/threat-center/threat-analyses/adware-and-puas.aspx
- Avira's definition: https://support.avira.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002917354-What-are-Potentially-Unwanted-Applications-PUAs-