Assistance with Computer clean up (virus, adware, etc) - Windows 10
June 26, 2023 5:00 AM Subscribe
Looking for some help to try and clean my computer (unused software, virus protection, bloatware, etc) for Windows machine (currently running Windows 10)
I have posted similar questions on this topic over the past little while on here with great results, so I wanted to ask a follow-up question.
I have a home desktop that I only use for work and light surfing and streaming (Netflix, etc). I really try and keep my computer clean and free of anything. I have automatic updates on, and every weekend, I run updates on my Windows machine and also run full scans of the following:
Windows Defender (Quick. Full and Offline Scans)
Avast Free Antivirus
Malware Bytes
SpyBot S&D
On a recent Avast scan, it noted that I had several outdated programs (VLC, etc) and I downloaded a program (I thought was legit) from a site like FileHippo or something, that would analyze and update any software and drivers, etc that were outdated. I think it was called iObit. It didn't immediately work as much as I hoped, so I immediately deleted it. Since then, once in a while, Malware Bytes will pick up some PUP threats. A couple of weeks ago it was "PUP.Optional.BundlerInstaller" and then "PUA:Win32/Vigua.A"and yesterday it was:
PUP.Optional.iTopVPN And the folder it was in was: C:ProgramData/iobit/software updater
I uninstalled iObit way back but its still apparently causing issues.
I put it in Quarantine and ran my scans; they all came back clean.
Is there anything I can do to clean my machine once and for all? I googled and heard about this program - Revo Uninstaller - would this be worthwhile to try?
Any other advice or suggestions?? Any other software and/or programs I should use and install?
I really appreciate any help you can provide.
I have posted similar questions on this topic over the past little while on here with great results, so I wanted to ask a follow-up question.
I have a home desktop that I only use for work and light surfing and streaming (Netflix, etc). I really try and keep my computer clean and free of anything. I have automatic updates on, and every weekend, I run updates on my Windows machine and also run full scans of the following:
Windows Defender (Quick. Full and Offline Scans)
Avast Free Antivirus
Malware Bytes
SpyBot S&D
On a recent Avast scan, it noted that I had several outdated programs (VLC, etc) and I downloaded a program (I thought was legit) from a site like FileHippo or something, that would analyze and update any software and drivers, etc that were outdated. I think it was called iObit. It didn't immediately work as much as I hoped, so I immediately deleted it. Since then, once in a while, Malware Bytes will pick up some PUP threats. A couple of weeks ago it was "PUP.Optional.BundlerInstaller" and then "PUA:Win32/Vigua.A"and yesterday it was:
PUP.Optional.iTopVPN And the folder it was in was: C:ProgramData/iobit/software updater
I uninstalled iObit way back but its still apparently causing issues.
I put it in Quarantine and ran my scans; they all came back clean.
Is there anything I can do to clean my machine once and for all? I googled and heard about this program - Revo Uninstaller - would this be worthwhile to try?
Any other advice or suggestions?? Any other software and/or programs I should use and install?
I really appreciate any help you can provide.
Don't worry *too much* about those. Nowadays, a lot of those free apps got rebundled or repackaged with "optional" install of something else. One of the more benign but annoying install was the "MacAfee Advisor" (it's legit, but annoying). Sometimes, the free app got bought and the new owners are the ones doing the bundling for the revenue.
Those free bundles are not necessary bad, just annoying, since when you do the un-attended install, which is what these "automated" update programs do, they install the extra bits too. You have to use manual install to "opt out" of the extra bundled stuff.
posted by kschang at 6:40 AM on June 26, 2023
Those free bundles are not necessary bad, just annoying, since when you do the un-attended install, which is what these "automated" update programs do, they install the extra bits too. You have to use manual install to "opt out" of the extra bundled stuff.
posted by kschang at 6:40 AM on June 26, 2023
Ninite offers a quick and easy way to keep certain software (VLC is one of them) up to date. You check boxes for what you want installed and updated and it generates an executable file for you. Now you can run that file regularly and it will update everything you included. If you ever have videos that you save to a local or network location, VLC is a good way to watch them.
You can uninstall things yourself with the Add and Remove Programs option under settings. You can sort applications by size or install date. That way you can see the most recent things and remove them if you don't want them.
posted by soelo at 7:08 AM on June 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
You can uninstall things yourself with the Add and Remove Programs option under settings. You can sort applications by size or install date. That way you can see the most recent things and remove them if you don't want them.
posted by soelo at 7:08 AM on June 26, 2023 [3 favorites]
I don't trust Avast at all. Seems like massive nagware.
I do trust Malwarebytes, but it too has gone totally nagware in my last install/use of it.
Uninstall both, and then get a new Malwarebytes when you need to use it.
posted by Windopaene at 9:40 AM on June 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I do trust Malwarebytes, but it too has gone totally nagware in my last install/use of it.
Uninstall both, and then get a new Malwarebytes when you need to use it.
posted by Windopaene at 9:40 AM on June 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I just use windows Defender, with AdBlocker+ and UBlockOrigin on Firefox. recommend.
posted by theora55 at 12:02 PM on June 26, 2023
posted by theora55 at 12:02 PM on June 26, 2023
PUP = Potentially Unwanted Program, PUA = Potentially Unwanted Application.
These mean the detection is flagging software that is often bundled in installers and not usually intentionally installed. These are typically low-risk programs. Quarantine was/is probably sufficient. You might also go into your add/remove programs/installed apps control panel and check to make sure you recognize the programs you see there.
Seconding Ninite if you want to update a lot of software all at once. Otherwise you should go to the official downloads for the software you wish to update, as a common scam is to pollute search results for software with upgraders and downloads that install malware. This is especially important for drivers; I'd go so far as to say to only upgrade drivers through Windows Update if you aren't absolutely sure that the drivers provided by a manufacturer are trustworthy.
(In general, the important software that needs to be kept up to date, like web browsers, will update itself as needed. Updates for other programs are generally less critical to keep on top of, though it's still a good idea to do so generally.)
posted by Aleyn at 9:32 PM on June 26, 2023
These mean the detection is flagging software that is often bundled in installers and not usually intentionally installed. These are typically low-risk programs. Quarantine was/is probably sufficient. You might also go into your add/remove programs/installed apps control panel and check to make sure you recognize the programs you see there.
Seconding Ninite if you want to update a lot of software all at once. Otherwise you should go to the official downloads for the software you wish to update, as a common scam is to pollute search results for software with upgraders and downloads that install malware. This is especially important for drivers; I'd go so far as to say to only upgrade drivers through Windows Update if you aren't absolutely sure that the drivers provided by a manufacturer are trustworthy.
(In general, the important software that needs to be kept up to date, like web browsers, will update itself as needed. Updates for other programs are generally less critical to keep on top of, though it's still a good idea to do so generally.)
posted by Aleyn at 9:32 PM on June 26, 2023
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If the scans are coming back clean now, then you should be good. Do two things though. 1.) go to the ProgramData folder, and delete the iobit folder. 2.) Uninstall Avast. Windows Defender is pretty great, and it won't bug you to upgrade to a paid version all the time.
posted by deezil at 5:46 AM on June 26, 2023