PUA.Madcodehook

PUA.Madcodehook is the latest example of a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA), some experts refer to it as a form of adware as well.
PUA’s are applications that a security, or privacy-minded computer user may want to be informed of and, in most instances, may feel the need to remove.

PUA’s are often made by a legitimate corporate entity for some beneficial purpose, but they alter the security state of the computer on which they are installed, and may even compromise the privacy of the infected system.

PUA.Madcodehook is a program that facilitates the delivery of advertising content to the system user and in some cases may gather information from the user\'s computer, including information related to Internet browser usage and other computer habits.

PUA.Madcodehook may monopolize the computer system’s resources and is largely responsible for the countless pop-up advertisements the user will be bombarded with.

PUA.Madcodehook is often bundled with or embedded within freeware programs like such as clocks, messengers, alerts, weather, and so on.
To avoid any unneeded risks of damage to your computer system, it is highly recommended to make use of a reliable and legitimate anti-spyware application, to remove PUA.Madcodehook and all its components from the infected computer system.

How does PUA.Madcodehook find its way onto a computer system?
Well, there are a few ways this application could have entered into a system, namely:

- The user’s operating system and Web browser security setting are too flexible and relaxed
- The user does not follow safe Internet and PC practices.
There are a few rules one should adhere to, at all times to ensure the safety and security of a computer system remains intact.

• Rule 1:
Keep your Windows up to date. (Tip: Regularly visit Windows Update and set your PC to receive security and critical updates automatically)

• Rule 2:
Download and install a reliable anti-spyware program, one that will recognize the current form of PUA.Madcodehook, as well as other forms of spyware.

• Rule 3:
Install a firewall onto your system, and keep it turned on. A firewall is essential for complete protection for your system.

• Rule 4:
Keep the definitions in your anti-spyware up to date at all times.

So, how would one tell for sure whether their system has been infected with PUA.Madcodehook or not?

Well, there are a few symptoms affiliated with an Adware infection, which are usually tell-tale signs of an infection:

1. PC is working slowly
2. New desktop shortcuts are displayed on the system
3. Annoying pop-up messages (in some cases) keep appearing on the PC
4. E-mails are being sent from your email address without your consent.

Once the PUA.Madcodehook adware program is installed it will start to display very intrusive pop-up messages and advertisements. The pop-up messages may take up all of the available workspace on a users screen, rendering their computer useless for several moments.

Unfortunately, the end-user typically has no knowledge of the presence of adware ... until things start to go wrong.

Although this type of program is not always malicious, it has been known to perform suspicious activity such as monitoring the user’s internet behavior, forwarding that along (with information regarding the other programs on your computer) to third-party sources.

The main focus of adware is to display targeted advertisements based on your personal interest. These advertisements will typically pop-up from every direction, often leading to spam emails and terrible system performance.

The best way to ensure whether your system has been infected is to perform a full computer system scan with a legitimate anti-spyware application. Should your system then be showing signs of PUA.Madcodehook’s presence, I suggest it be removed ASAP!