Malwarebytes came up with 2 “objects” as soon as I restarted the computer, they are called “PUP.Optional.ASK” and are in the C drive users. What is it exactly? And how to get rid of it? I’m scared of using my credit card stuff online now. I use mainly google chrome browser but now it is super slow on this Windows 10 computer. Please help!!!
PUP.Optional.ASK is a specific detection used by Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to indicate and detect a Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP). This program usually contains adware, unwanted toolbars and other unclear objectives, therefore your PC will be fully messed up. PUP.Optional.ASK used to slip into target computers through a series of channels, like freeware downloads, spam email attachments, hacked websites, etc. As soon as it is installed it changes your PC settings and browser settings automatically, also creates new corrupt entries to make itself start every time you log in windows. This threat is nasty and very dangerous. It is strongly recommended to remove it manually in order to avoid further damage on the system.
PUP.Optional.ASK has been complained by numerous computer users as this threat is hard to be removed. It may come back over and over again after removal. Another reason is that PUP.Optional.ASK can perform tons of annoying activities on the web browser to stop users from going online. It not only changes your default homepage and search engine to www.ask.com, but also displays bunch of unstoppable pop-ups advertisements and installs unwanted ASK toolbar. You may also get unexpected browser behaviors such as URL/link redirects and unknown plugin/extension attached with browser. In conclusion, PUP.Optional.ASK is an invasive application that mostly gets into computers against user`s will. It has ability to hijack your browser and bring you unwanted ads or even record your personal information along with your activities on the web, you had better get rid of it as quickly as possible.
1. This virus slows down your computer speed which make you in a trouble while opening program and surfing Internet. It takes forever to open a program or website.
2. Antivirus you have installed keeps popping up messages while you are surfing on the internet and showing you computer is at risk but you can’t get rid of it all.
3. This virus will shut down your other anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. And it will also infect and corrupt your registry, leaving your computer totally unsafe.
4. This virus will disable the proper running of many different programs or even disable some functions of your computer.
5. System restore can’t help to remove this Trojan completely.
From malicious drive-by-download scripts from corrupted porn and shareware / freeware websites.
Through spam email attachments, media downloads and social networks.
When clicking suspicious pop-ups or malicious links.
Open unknown email or download media files that contain the activation code of the virus.
Note: No matter how the virus accesses your PC, users should know that there are no tools can remove this pesky Trojan automatically at this moment, it is suggested users not spend much time in downloading or paying any security software which claims can delete this stubborn virus. It is totally useless. To completely get rid of PUP.Optional.ASK virus, professional manual guide is needed.
Currently many computer users had the same experience that this virus couldn’t be removed by any anti-virus applications. So the manual approach is always required to combat this virus. And here is the step-by-step removal guide for all computer users.
1. End the malicious process from Task Manager.
Once PUP.Optional.ASK virus is installed, computer user may notice that CPU usage randomly jumps to 100 percent. At any time Windows always has many running processes. A process is an individual task that the computer runs. In general, the more processes, the more work the computer has to do and the slower it will run. If your system’s CPU spike is constant and remain at a constant 90-95%, users should check from Task Manager and see if there is a suspicious process occupying system resources and then end it immediately.
(The name of the virus process can be random.)
Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to quickly bring up Task Manager Window：
2. Show hidden files and folders.
Open Folder Options by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Under Advanced settings, click Show hidden files and folders, uncheck Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) and then click OK.
3. Open Registry entries. Find out the malicious files and entries and then delete all.
Attention: Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
a. Press Windows key + R to open Run box. In the “Open” field, type “regedit” and click the “OK” button.
Then a Registry Editor window will pop up as the following picture shows:
b. Search malicious files and registry entries and then remove all of them:
%AllUsersProfile%\[random]
%AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Templates\[random]
%AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\.exe
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\[random]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Temp
PUP.Optional.ASK virus is a malicious and unwanted application that can infect your computer and make it almost unusable. It’s technically not a virus, but it does exhibit plenty of malicious traits when it is downloaded on your system. Whenever you are online, continuous ads display on the webpage through various ways like banners, coupons, in-text ads and pop-ups. You may get more unwanted or malicious programs installed without your awareness. This application also collects your browsing history and enables cyber hackers to access your system remotely without any permission to steal your precious information on purpose. Hence, you are advised to follow the manual removal guide above to remove PUP.Optional.ASK for good.
Note: If you are not knowledgeable enough to be able to distinguish the location of this virus, or you are afraid of making mistake during the manual removal, please contact experts from Yoocare Online Tech Support for further help.
Published by on February 10, 2016 1:41 pm, last updated on February 10, 2016 1:41 pm
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