
The gathered data is then monetized by sharing with and/or selling to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). They can monitor browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). Furthermore, most PUAs (regardless of type) have data tracking capabilities. Therefore, with a browser hijacker installed, each new browser tab/window opened and search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the promoted address.įake search engines are seldom capable of providing search results, and so they tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate search engines. Other PUAs called browser hijackers make modifications to browser settings and restrict/deny access to them to promote fake search engines. In addition, once clicked, intrusive ads can redirect to dangerous sites and some can even stealthily download/install software.

The delivered ads (pop-ups, banners, surveys, full-page, etc.) reduce browsing speed and limit website visibility. PUAs can force-open various dubious and malicious websites.Īdware-types run intrusive advertisement campaigns. Furthermore, this unwanted software can have hidden and harmful functions. fake anti-virus tools) require activation to operate as advertised, but even after the activation keys are purchased, the apps remain nonoperational.

Such techniques may be employed for legitimate software, however, they are more commonly used to proliferate rogue applications. Products are categorized as PUAs, due to the dubious methods used to proliferate them. Often, apps within this classification cannot perform their advertised functionality and might have undisclosed dangerous capabilities. Since most users download/install Umate Mac Cleaner inadvertently, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

This application is supposedly capable of eliminating junk, large and duplicate files, and also removing personal information to prevent privacy leaks. Umate Mac Cleaner is untrusted software endorsed as a tool for optimizing the performance of Mac operating systems.
