{"id":1269,"date":"2013-09-11T23:23:49","date_gmt":"2013-09-11T23:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.compuclever.com\/posts\/?p=1269"},"modified":"2013-09-13T22:29:19","modified_gmt":"2013-09-13T22:29:19","slug":"foistware-messing-up-your-pc-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.compuclever.com\/posts\/foistware-messing-up-your-pc-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"Foistware – Messing Up Your PC Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
Synopsis: How often have you experienced changes in your computer without knowing how it occurs? It could be that your Internet browser opens to a new homepage or your search engine is no longer the same. Or maybe there are more items in your Browser toolbar or you are getting popup messages appearing. It could be that, in general, these changes have slowed down your computer performance in one way or another. These changes are the direct result of something now known as foistware. This is also known as \u201ccrapware\u201d and is appropriately named. In this article we will begin by describing the condition and then move into methods of detection and prevention. In our follow up article<\/a>, we will get into more details of how to remove these items and restore your browser settings.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What is foistware?<\/h2>\n

Our CompuClever support team is dedicated to assist our customers who experience a noticeably slower PC in terms of performance. Recently when performing our initial investigations with the use of our support tools we have frequently come across common changes that result in poor PC \u201chealth\u201d. Examination revealed that these changes were the result of what is currently considered foistware.<\/p>\n

Having foistware on your PC can range from a mild annoyance to a real impediment.\u00a0 Having additional browser toolbars foisted onto your web browser is a bit like having advertisements in a YouTube video; it competes for space.\u00a0 The real impediment comes not only when performance is compromised but when attempting to revert the changes.\u00a0 How these items become installed provides some insight as to why they are appropriately named.\u00a0 The term \u201cfoist\u201d means:<\/p>\n

To\u00a0force\u00a0upon\u00a0or\u00a0impose\u00a0fraudulently\u00a0or\u00a0unjustifiably:\u00a0to\u00a0foist inferior merchandise\u00a0on\u00a0a customer.[1]<\/sup><\/div>\n

The following screenshot demonstrates the state of a web browser that has been victimized by foistware.\u00a0 There are three areas that are affected.<\/p>\n

\"\"
A web browser infected by foistware.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n
  1. The Home page URL was changed to search.conduit.com <\/em>a third-party search engine that profits from every web search you perform.<\/li>\n
  2. Extra browser toolbars and add-ons were installed to attract your attention, lure you to install more software, and bring you to other affiliated online services from whereupon the foistware benefits from \u201creferral fees\u201d.<\/li>\n
  3. Blinking ads with scare tactics to entice you to download so-called PC optimization or cleaning software.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \"\"<\/a>
    The invasive 24x7 PC support foistware.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Another example is the annoying 24×7 PC support foistware. \u00a0There is a man or woman\u2019s face attached to every program window of your PC. \u00a0No matter what you do, you can\u2019t get rid of this face that always appears on whatever active window you have open. \u00a0This little gem is the 24×7 PC Help software link and it is very much in your face and on your nerves.<\/p>\n

    In most all these cases you install this software without explicit knowledge of it or without knowing what the results will be. \u00a0There are other instances of foistware that are more aggressive and capable of doing more harm to your PC.<\/p>\n

    The Condition<\/strong>:\u00a0 Foistware is known as software that gets installed in addition to another software install typically without your full knowledge.\u00a0 Typically these fly under the radar by being bundled with software you install and, if you take the time to look closely, you can see how it\u2019s done on one of the install screens where a checkbox is selected so that unless you clear the checkbox you will install the additional item.\u00a0 Most often the result is an additional browser toolbars \u2013 those items that get added onto your browser toolbar that include searches or quick links.\u00a0 Frequently the change that occurs to your PC happens automatically as soon as the foistware has been installed.\u00a0 Other examples include changing your default search engine (for example, from Google to Bing), or changing your browser homepage.\u00a0 Some of the more invasive instances involve displaying pop-ups with scary messages like “Back up your PC or lose it”, or “Your computer has 1000 errors”.\u00a0 Even if you were to uninstall the original software, these changes would still remain.\u00a0 In some cases there can be more than one of these items on your toolbar.\u00a0 It is not uncommon to see three or four toolbar add-ons.\u00a0 When this happens you can notice a difference in PC performance.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Potential symptoms:<\/p>\n

    \n