What is PUP.Optional.DeltaTB and how to remove it?

Having your PC or laptop taken over by a computer virus is both irritating and potentially damaging. Viruses and malware affect a huge number of us and we have probably all been infected at one point in our lives. You should protect yourself by installing a good quality anti-malware software program on your PC as this is the best line of defense against Potentially Unwanted Programs – otherwise known as PUP’s.

An anti-malware program, such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, should always be kept up to date so that it has the best chance of catching and deleting the latest strain of virus but it is always good to know what you do and don’t want on your machine so that you can spot it and take action before it worms its way into your operating system. When it comes to viruses prevention is definitely better than cure.

A PUP can install itself on your laptop or PC in a number of ways however it will most likely be when you are downloading some free software or videos. Many Potentially Unwanted Programs, such as the PUP.Optional.DeltaTB will expose you to adware and unwanted toolbars. The adware will cause unending, annoying adverts and pop up windows to appear on your screen whilst the toolbar may replace your own preferred toolbar and can also redirect you to websites of the creator’s choosing, for instance, delta-search.com.

Technically speaking the PUP.Optional.DeltaTB is not a true virus but it is still a nuisance and something that you should get rid of if it finds its way on to your computer. It has some unsavory qualities such as browser hijacking and put simply it will make using your computer a real chore. Besides anything that stealthily installs itself on to your PC can’t have the purest of motives, can it?

PUP.Optional.DeltaTB is also a spyware which means that it will be installed deep down in your operating system. It will track your browsing habits and send all the information to third party servers. This makes it extra hard to find and delete – sneaky!

So how can you make sure you don’t end up with the PUP.Optional.DeltaTB on your computer? Because it was very likely installed when you downloaded something you need to pay particular attention to what you are downloading, installing or streaming. Stop and think whether or not you really need that PDF creator or other piece of freeware and never, ever download something from a site that you don’t trust or that looks dubious.

If you really do need to download something be careful and make sure you read the EULA – the end user license agreement – thoroughly: malicious software and viruses are often packaged with other pieces of software and so you should read the wording and uncheck any boxes that are pre-selected and that say they will also install another piece of software. It is very likely that this will be adware, malware or a PUP such as PUP.Optional.DeltaTB.

As noted above it cannot be over-stated how important it is to have a reputable brand of anti-malware software installed on your computer and you should run this regularly to make sure there is nothing unwanted lurking on your system.

Written by Michael Kaur, http://deletemalware.blogspot.com

PUP.Optional.DeltaTB removal instructions:

1. Download recommended anti-malware software and run a full system scan to remove PUP.Optional.DeltaTB and associated malware from your computer.

2. Remove potentially unwanted extensions from your web browser.

Google Chrome:
1. Click on Chrome menu button. Go to Tools → Extensions.
2. Click on the trashcan icon and remove the extensions that might be causing Chitka pop ups. Basically, remove all extensions that you didn't install. It's perfectly OK to remove all extensions since by default Google Chrome comes without any extensions.

Mozilla Firefox:
1. Go to Tools → Add-ons.
2. Select Extensions. Remove all extensions that you didn't install. Please note, by default Firefox comes without any extensions.

Internet Explorer:
1. Go to Tools → Manage Add-ons. If you have the latest version, simply click on the Settings button.
2. Select Toolbars and Extensions. Remove all add-ons that you didn't install or you believe may cause those annoying pop-ups to show up.

3. Download CCleaner and tidy up your computer, remove temp files, etc.