DriverUpdate Unwanted Application

What is DriverUpdate?

Developers present DriverUpdate as a legitimate application that helps users to update system drivers and, therefore, improve overall performance.

These claims often trick users into believing that DriverUpdate is legitimate and useful, however, this app is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). DriverUpdate often infiltrates systems without permission and delivers no real value for regular users.

Once installed, DriverUpdate performs a fake system scan and displays a list of 'outdated drivers'. Users are encouraged to update these drivers immediately by purchasing the 'full version' of DriverUpdate. Note that the list of outdated drivers is fake.

DriverUpdate's developers attempt to trick unsuspecting users into paying for the so-called full version (even when it is not required). This application is useless and will not help to optimize your system performance. Therefore, we strongly advise that you uninstall DriverUpdate immediately.

As mentioned, DriverUpdate often infiltrates systems without consent. This behavior is common to potentially unwanted programs, and there is a high probability that DriverUpdate will be delivered with a number of other PUPs.

Regular PUPs generate intrusive advertisements, stealthily modify web browser options, gather sensitive information, and misuse system resources. Intrusive ads (coupons, banners, pop-ups, and so on) are delivered using tools (e.g., virtual layers) that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site.

These ads conceal underlying content, thereby diminishing the browsing experience. In addition, they redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts designed to download/install malware. Therefore, clicking intrusive ads might cause high-risk computer infections. Potentially unwanted programs also modify browser options.

They assign the new tab URL, homepage, and other settings to certain dubious URLs, so that users continually encounter unwanted redirects. In doing so, they promote untrustworthy websites. Another significant downside is data tracking.

Potentially unwanted programs gather IP addresses, geo-locations, keystrokes, search queries, website URLs visited, pages viewed, and other data relating to browsing activity. The collected information might contain personal details that are typically sold to third parties, who misuse private data to generate revenue.

Thus, the presence of data tracking apps might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Some PUPs mine cryptocurrencies and run other unwanted processes in the background. These programs misuse system resources without consent, thereby diminishing overall system performance. Therefore, all potentially unwanted programs must uninstalled immediately.

DriverUpdate is virtually identical to Your Video Converter, Wise System Mechanic, Digital Coin Tracker, SlimCleaner, and many others. No matter what functionality potentially unwanted programs offer, all have identical behavior. These programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

Rather than giving any significant value for regular users, PUPs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.

How did DriverUpdate install on my computer?

To proliferate PUPs, developers employ intrusive advertisements and the "bundling" method (stealth installation of third party applications together with regular software/apps). They know that many users rush when downloading and installing software.

Therefore, all "bundled" apps are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes. By skipping download/installation steps and clicking dubious ads/links, many users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

The main reasons for computer infections are often poor knowledge and careless behavior. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Remember that intrusive ads may seem legitimate, but they can redirect to gambling, pornography, survey, and other dubious websites.

If you encounter redirects to suspicious sites, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Remember also to closely observe each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Decline offers to download/install additional applications and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

We also recommend that you download your software from official sources only, using direct download links. Criminals monetize third party downloaders/installers by promoting dubious apps (the "bundling" method). Therefore, these tools should never be used. The key to computer safety is caution.

DriverUpdate PUP installation set-up:

Website promoting DriverUpdate PUP:

SlimwareUpdate application detected as a potentially unwanted application by antivirus vendors:

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Quick menu:

• What is DriverUpdate?
• STEP 1. Uninstall adware applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue plug-ins from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove adware-type extensions from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove malicious extensions from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

DriverUpdate adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "DriverUpdate", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes DriverUpdate ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the driverupdate potentially unwanted program, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the driverupdate potentially unwanted program, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with driverupdate potentially unwanted program removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the driverupdate potentially unwanted program, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

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