PUP.Free PC Cleaner
Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecard
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are assessment reports for different malware threats which have been collected and analyzed by our research team. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards evaluate and rank threats using several metrics including real-world and potential risk factors, trends, frequency, prevalence, and persistence. EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards are updated regularly based on our research data and metrics and are useful for a wide range of computer users, from end users seeking solutions to remove malware from their systems to security experts analyzing threats.
EnigmaSoft Threat Scorecards display a variety of useful information, including:
Popularity Rank: The ranking of a particular threat in EnigmaSoft’s Threat Database.
Severity Level: The determined severity level of an object, represented numerically, based on our risk modeling process and research, as explained in our Threat Assessment Criteria.
Infected Computers: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
See also Threat Assessment Criteria.
| Threat Level: | 10 % (Normal) |
| Infected Computers: | 149 |
| First Seen: | May 18, 2022 |
| Last Seen: | June 10, 2022 |
| OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
The detection of PUP.Free PC Cleaner on your system indicates the presence of a potentially unwanted program (PUP) that may be compromising your computer's performance and security. PUPs are software applications that are not necessarily malicious but can still cause significant disruptions to your system's operation and personal data privacy.
Table of Contents
What Is PUP.Free PC Cleaner?
PUP.Free PC Cleaner, as indicated by its name, is likely a program that claims to offer PC cleaning and optimization services. However, its classification as a PUP suggests that it may not operate as promised or may bundle additional unwanted features. PUPs often find their way onto computers through bundled software downloads, where they are included alongside legitimate applications without the user's full awareness or consent.
How PUP.Free PC Cleaner Operates
Once installed, PUP.Free PC Cleaner may start scanning your computer for issues such as registry errors, temporary files, and other supposed problems. It might then prompt you to purchase a full version or a subscription to fix these issues, claiming that the free version has limitations. In reality, the issues it detects may be exaggerated or nonexistent, and the program's real intention could be to generate revenue through these purchases or by collecting and selling user data.
PUPs like PUP.Free PC Cleaner can also display intrusive advertisements, slow down your computer by consuming system resources, and potentially install additional unwanted software. Their operation is often designed to be as stealthy as possible, making them difficult for average users to detect and remove without assistance.
Symptoms of Infection
Systems infected with PUP.Free PC Cleaner may exhibit a range of symptoms, including but not limited to, an increase in pop-up advertisements, unexpected changes in browser settings, the appearance of new toolbars or extensions, and a general slowdown in computer performance. You might also notice unfamiliar programs installed on your computer or find that your default search engine and homepage have been altered without your consent.
How to Remove PUP.Free PC Cleaner
- Boot your computer in Safe Mode with Networking to prevent PUP.Free PC Cleaner from loading and to give you a cleaner environment to work in.
- Perform a full scan of your system using a reputable anti-malware tool, such as SpyHunter, to detect and remove all components related to PUP.Free PC Cleaner.
- Manually uninstall any suspicious programs that you do not recognize or that were installed around the time your issues began.
- Reset your web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.) to their default settings to remove any unwanted extensions or changes made by the PUP.
- Reboot your computer and run another scan with your anti-malware tool to ensure that all traces of PUP.Free PC Cleaner have been removed.
Conclusion
Removing PUP.Free PC Cleaner from your system is crucial to restoring your computer's performance and protecting your personal data. By following the steps outlined above and maintaining vigilance when installing new software, you can help prevent future infections. Regularly updating your operating system, browsers, and security software, as well as being cautious with email attachments and downloads from the internet, are also key practices in keeping your digital environment secure.
SpyHunter Detects & Remove PUP.Free PC Cleaner
File System Details
| # | File Name | MD5 |
Detections
Detections: The number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular threat detected on
infected computers as reported by SpyHunter.
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | FastStartup2.exe | 08b015a33fb45f75e44a42215e43838f | 127 |
| 2. | FreePCCleaner_241007.exe | e249c787def6b629ecab81cd626b7e42 | 19 |
| 3. | FreePCCleaner-setup.exe | bfa0c888133e2c93bed2ac85ba43e18f | 0 |
