- Mar 4, 2000
- 27,370
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I have long suspected some freeware updates of bringing malicious baggage. I just finished updating Adobe Flash, and the process was replete with unwanted "free" programs that literally polluted my system and stole my homepage. I knew it would, but I did not figure on the magnitude.
First, there were FOUR new program icons posted to my desktop. I opened Control Panel and found the programs. I uninstalled each - they did not go willingly! I then ran CCleaner, and got rid of some more pieces. Then I ran a full Threat Scan with MBAM Premium. Whoa! It found 25 malicious objects. Most were PUPs, but some were worse. I quarantined all, rebooted and then deleted all from Quarantine. Rebooted again and the system was clean. I went to IE11 and, damn! Google had replaced my homepage and wanted me to download Chrome. No way, José! Total time wasted - about 20 minutes. This is why I avoid freeware as much as possible.
Adobe Flash update will no longer be done unless I am bored.
First, there were FOUR new program icons posted to my desktop. I opened Control Panel and found the programs. I uninstalled each - they did not go willingly! I then ran CCleaner, and got rid of some more pieces. Then I ran a full Threat Scan with MBAM Premium. Whoa! It found 25 malicious objects. Most were PUPs, but some were worse. I quarantined all, rebooted and then deleted all from Quarantine. Rebooted again and the system was clean. I went to IE11 and, damn! Google had replaced my homepage and wanted me to download Chrome. No way, José! Total time wasted - about 20 minutes. This is why I avoid freeware as much as possible.
Adobe Flash update will no longer be done unless I am bored.