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Malwarebytes gets tougher on PUPs
PUP.Optional.Cmptch
Short bio
PUP.Optional.Cmptch.Generic is a generic detection for a family of potentially unwanted Chrome extensions that point to one of the subdomains of cmptch.com.
Symptoms
The affected browser will open advertisements displaying offers originating from one of the subdomains of cmptch.com (i.e. partners.cmptch.com).
Type and source of infection
PUP.Optional.Cmptch.Generic is a potentially unwanted browser extension behaving like adware and usually was installed by bundlers.
Protection
Malwarebytes blocks the domain cmptch.com because it is involved in adware and PUPs.
Remediation
Malwarebytes can detect and remove PUP.Optional.Cmptch.Generic without further user interaction.
- Please download Malwarebytes to your desktop.
- Double-click mb3-setup-consumer-{version}.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
- Then click Finish.
- Once the program has fully updated, select Scan Now on the Dashboard. Or select the Threat Scan from the Scan menu.
- If another update of the definitions is available, it will be implemented before the rest of the scanning procedure.
- When the scan is complete, make sure that all Threats are selected, and click Remove Selected.
- Restart your computer when prompted to do so.
Add an exclusion
Should users wish to keep this program and exclude it from being detected in future scans, they can add the program to the exclusions list. Here’s how to do it.
The Exclusions tab includes a list of items to be excluded from scans. The items may include files, folders, websites, or applications that connect to the Internet, as well as previously detected exploits.
To access the exclusions in Malwarebytes:
- Click on the Settings tab in the left pane.
- Click on the Exclusions tab.
- Click the Add Exclusion button.
- Select the exclusion type Exclude a File or Folder and use the Browse button to select the main folder for the software that you wish to keep. The Chrome extensions for Windows are usually located in the folder %APPDATA%\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\{Default}\Extensions\
Associated threats
PUP.Optional.Cmptch.Generic