I found this while using control panel to uninstall an old program.
When I went to uninstall that, a webroot warning flashed up for half a second, and then a banner saying I did not have the access to uninstall it.
A scan and removal process has eliminated he thing, but what was it?
What is bestdiscountapp?
+16
Hi moonzero2
bestdiscountapp is an adware program, that displays pop-up ads and advertisements on web pages that you visit. It is designed specifically to make money by generating web traffic, collecting sales leads for other dubious sites, and will, as you have seen, display advertisements and sponsored links within your web browser.
In other words it is a non-malware program we commonly refer to as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
A bit of background for you on PUAs generally; they are usually not malicious. Very annoying at best in that they cause pop-ups, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system.
The key to avoiding them is to make sure that when downloading apps one does so from the author's own website or one that they have recommended, and not 3rd party downloading site.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added. And as you have seen it has dealt with is one, 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.
Webroot does offer the following guidance in in terms of the technically proficient; those that fit that category can try these steps to remove the PUA from their system.
I should also point out, for future reference, that if the instruction do not work or for those who do not feel technically capable then one can 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.
Hope that provides the information you were after and some additional in case you come up against PUAs in the future?
Regards, Baldrick
bestdiscountapp is an adware program, that displays pop-up ads and advertisements on web pages that you visit. It is designed specifically to make money by generating web traffic, collecting sales leads for other dubious sites, and will, as you have seen, display advertisements and sponsored links within your web browser.
In other words it is a non-malware program we commonly refer to as a PUA or Potentially Unwanted Application.
A bit of background for you on PUAs generally; they are usually not malicious. Very annoying at best in that they cause pop-ups, redirect your browser home page, and other behaviour that may slow down the computer and direct ads your way, but they are not actually doing anything bad like damaging files or stealing information. Often they are installed intentionally by the user as browser add-ons for various tasks such as quick search tools. Other times they 'piggy back' with other software that you installed, or try to 'sneak' onto your system.
The key to avoiding them is to make sure that when downloading apps one does so from the author's own website or one that they have recommended, and not 3rd party downloading site.
WSA does detect and remove many PUA's, and more are being added. And as you have seen it has dealt with is one, 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.
Webroot does offer the following guidance in in terms of the technically proficient; those that fit that category can try these steps to remove the PUA from their system.
I should also point out, for future reference, that if the instruction do not work or for those who do not feel technically capable then one can 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.
Hope that provides the information you were after and some additional in case you come up against PUAs in the future?
Regards, Baldrick
Webroot SecureAnywhere Complete Beta Tester v9.0.24.49, imaged by Macrium Reflect v7.2
Login to the community
No account yet? Create an account
Enter your E-mail address. We'll send you an e-mail with instructions to reset your password.