Home Malware Programs Adware PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle

PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle

Posted: January 17, 2012

Threat Metric

Ranking: 10,883
Threat Level: 1/10
Infected PCs: 1,120
First Seen: January 17, 2012
Last Seen: September 28, 2023
OS(es) Affected: Windows

PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle is a potentially unwanted adware application and CNET's own installer that wraps a limited number of Windows software downloads in a CBS Interactive/CNET bundle which tries to download and install promoted programs, mainly toolbars (at least it's the Blekko toolbar). When you download an application from download.com, you may receive CNET's proprietary installer, not the program's installer. The downloaded file name begins with cnet_ or cnet2_, for example: cnet2_freeocr_exe. If you install recommended toolbar or any other tool, third-party supporters may keep track of what you do on the web to offer you certain software products. That's the main reason why CNET's installer is detected by some anti-virus programs as adware, PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle and even a Trojan, although there are others. The exact installation is a 4 step process. The logical progression of CNET's wrapper software makes it very easy to accept supported programs by default, especially for unaware PC users who don't take much notice of installer screens and usually simply click Next. This is the third major issue with PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle, all the special offers and extras are enabled by default, what is known as an 'Opt Out' system. PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle may install Blekko toolbar and change the default search engine to blekko.com. You should delete PUP.CNET.Adware.Bundle immediately after detection by using a legitimate anti-malware program.

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