PubQuo

Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs) pose significant risks to users by surreptitiously infiltrating devices and engaging in harmful activities such as data tracking, adware and browser hijacking. These programs compromise privacy and security, often collecting sensitive

What is PubQuo?

PubQuo is classified as a PUP. Software within this classification typically comes bundled with other suspicious programs and has harmful capabilities. These programs infiltrate devices surreptitiously, often causing significant issues for users.

Harmful Capabilities of PubQuo

PUPs like PubQuo commonly possess data-tracking functionalities, where they collect and potentially share or sell information such as:

• Browsing and search engine histories
• Internet cookies
• Account log-in credentials (usernames/passwords)
• Personally identifiable details
• Credit card numbers

The harvested data can be sent or sold to third parties, including cybercriminals, posing significant risks to users' privacy and security.

The Shady Distribution Tactics of PUPs

PUPs employ various shady tactics to distribute themselves, making it difficult for users to avoid them. Here are some of the common methods:

• Deceptive Web pages and Rogue Advertising Networks: PubQuo was discovered in an installer promoted by a deceptive Web page accessed via a redirect generated by a torrenting website. Rogue advertising networks play a crucial role in these redirects, tricking users into downloading PUPs like PubQuo.
• Bundling with Other Software: PUPs often come bundled with other software, which users may download from questionable sources. These bundled installations make it easy for PUPs to infiltrate devices without users' knowledge.
• Adware and Stealthy Downloads: Once installed, PUPs can operate as adware, displaying advertisements or generating redirects. These advertisements may promote deceptive and unsafe content. Furthermore, some adverts can initiate stealthy downloads upon being clicked, further compromising users' devices.
• Browser Hijacking: Another common tactic is browser hijacking. PUPs like PubQuo can change browsers' default search engines, homepages, and new tab/window URLs to addresses of promoted sites. This forces users to visit specific Web pages whenever a search query is typed into the URL bar or a new browser page is loaded.
• Endorsement of Fake Search Engines: PUPs often endorse fake search engines that cannot provide legitimate search results. Instead, they redirect users to legitimate search sites like Google, Bing or Yahoo. If they do generate search results, these results are often inaccurate and may include sponsored, unreliable and potentially unsafe content.

The discovery of PubQuo highlights the ongoing threat posed by PUPs. These programs infiltrate devices through deceptive means and engage in harmful activities, from data tracking to adware and browser hijacking. Users must remain vigilant, only download software from reputable sources, and employ robust security measures to protect against such intrusive programs.