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Faster Light program installed itself on my pc. Is this a virus or malware?
Faster Light program has installed itself on my computer. I've tried removing it using my computer's control panel. I've tried to get rid of it by doing a restore to a previous date. I can't seem to find a way to submit it to Webroot for virus check or removal. Is this program a virus, malware, or what and how can I remove it. It has replaced my chosen search engine and won't let me change it back. HELP!!!
Best answer by Baldrick
Hi bgbear
Welcome to the Community Forums.
From my research this prgram is not a virus but rather non-malware program we commonly refer to as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads (in the case of Faster light this is typified by advertisements being shown as boxes containing various coupons that are available, as underlined keywords, pop-up ads or advertising banners) your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information.
Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. But they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behaviour that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
I hope this helps? Please feel free to ask any further questions you may have.
Regards, Baldrick
View originalWelcome to the Community Forums.
From my research this prgram is not a virus but rather non-malware program we commonly refer to as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads (in the case of Faster light this is typified by advertisements being shown as boxes containing various coupons that are available, as underlined keywords, pop-up ads or advertising banners) your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information.
Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. But they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behaviour that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
I hope this helps? Please feel free to ask any further questions you may have.
Regards, Baldrick
1 person likes this
Hi bgbear
Welcome to the Community Forums.
From my research this prgram is not a virus but rather non-malware program we commonly refer to as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads (in the case of Faster light this is typified by advertisements being shown as boxes containing various coupons that are available, as underlined keywords, pop-up ads or advertising banners) your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information.
Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. But they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behaviour that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
I hope this helps? Please feel free to ask any further questions you may have.
Regards, Baldrick
Welcome to the Community Forums.
From my research this prgram is not a virus but rather non-malware program we commonly refer to as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
These are very annoying at best in that they cause pop-us, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads (in the case of Faster light this is typified by advertisements being shown as boxes containing various coupons that are available, as underlined keywords, pop-up ads or advertising banners) your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information.
Often they are installed intentionally by you the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. But they also come with the result of added annoying pop-ups and ads. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system entirely.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added, but WSA does not detect all of them. A simple browser add-on with PUA behaviour that is easy to identify and easy to remove is not likely to be detected and removed by WSA. Those that are intentionally difficult to locate and remove are. Please see THIS LINK for more information regarding Webroot's stance on these annoying programs.
If you feel or consider yourself technically proficient then you can try these steps to remove it from your system.
However, if that does not work or you do not feel technically capable then the best thing to do is to Open a Support Ticket & ask Webroot Support to take a look and remove these for you. There is NO CHARGE for this for valid WSA license holder.
I hope this helps? Please feel free to ask any further questions you may have.
Regards, Baldrick
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
1 person likes this
Baldrick, Thank you!! I'm relieved to know it's not going to damage or steal anything. I'll do as you suggest to rid myself of this pesky program. Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Hi bgbear
You are most welcome. Glad that we in the Community could be of assistance. As you say it would be best to try and get rid of this piece of crapware as soon as you can if only to bring back peace & harmony to your browsing experience, etc.
If I may, it very much looks like Faster Light is bundled with software download from sites including Cnet, Softonic or other similar custom third-party installers, which is most likely where you picked it up from. If I may recommend that where at all possible you download from the author's own or approved web sites in future...this is one of the best ways to avoid these annoying programs.
Wishing you a Very Peaceful & Prosperous New Year.
Regards, Baldrick
You are most welcome. Glad that we in the Community could be of assistance. As you say it would be best to try and get rid of this piece of crapware as soon as you can if only to bring back peace & harmony to your browsing experience, etc.
If I may, it very much looks like Faster Light is bundled with software download from sites including Cnet, Softonic or other similar custom third-party installers, which is most likely where you picked it up from. If I may recommend that where at all possible you download from the author's own or approved web sites in future...this is one of the best ways to avoid these annoying programs.
Wishing you a Very Peaceful & Prosperous New Year.
Regards, Baldrick
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