Symantec security products will soon detect and remove Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs)

Symantec Norton (Symantec) is one of the biggest names in Antivirus software. They claim their software is innovative and can “do it all.” Having said that, it’s strange that their software suites including Norton Internet Security and Norton 360 do not detect and remove the most common security threats in the world including Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUPs), like adware and browser hijackers that Anti-Malware software Malwarebytes or HitmanPro do… Well, until now. This fact has always given the latter a bigger advantage over Symantec’s security products as the previously mentioned Anti-Malware products begin to take over the security field based on the fact that they do detect and remove PUPs on a steady basis.

PUPs are the most common security threats in the world according to many security experts. Adware programs bundle with software developers and distributors such as cnet.download.com and are often found via advertisements on some of the most popular websites in the world. In fact, some of the most popular articles on botcrawl.com are about the removal of PUPs.

Symantec claims that they do not remove Potentially Unwanted Programs because PUPs do not fall under the malware category; However, a lot of PUPs are actually linked to very severe computer viruses and malware such as ransomware. A PUP can also be the first sign of a dangerous computer infection for many computer users.

Luckily for Symantec and their users, Symantec plans to add PUPs to their database in the future in order to compete with other products that are far ahead of them. According to a representative at Symantec I recently spoke with, they receive a lot of customer complaints concerning how they do not remove PUPs. This makes a lot of sense, because it would seem that most people who purchase their software expect their software to protect them against simple unwanted programs. In response to the customer complaints Symantec claims “we are acting on it. We will soon have our tools updated to remove these PUPs.” Symantec further went to say that they do not have an ETA for the update.

In the near future, this could make Symantec the number one vendor for all computer security needs. It can also make their competitors, as well as similar Anti-Malware products entirely obsolete… Are you ready?