Adware And The Case Against Bundled Software
Bundled software is an immensely profitable industry. And even though it's an industry that many users rely on, it may not be a safe one to be part of. Bundled software packages contain a number of pieces of software that people can install on their computers via one installer and typically charge for the full package with no option to purchase only what you need. Such programs are "bundles" in their name because they are often bundled with adware, which refers to free, spontaneous services that run on your computer without your consent. The best-known example of this is the installation process for AVG antivirus software, which is bundled with adware to advertise products unrelated to security or protection and thus harming PC performance.
The typical bundled software package contains a number of pieces of software that people can install on their computers via one installer. To avoid adware, users should be cautious about the option to install extra programs when installing new software. The best practice is to only allow the installation of what you need and to uninstall any additional programs immediately. Because bundled packages are designed to be profitable for sellers, they often encourage users by offering a discount or "free gifts" that come with the purchase of their program. Unfortunately it's not uncommon for such offers to come with adware as well; many users who try to avoid it end up installing it anyway, not realizing that they have done so.
Bundled software packages are not necessarily illegal. However, the EULA (End User License Agreement) for AVG's free antivirus may be in violation of the laws of some countries. Since the agreement appears on-screen when users install this software, not everyone reads it before they proceed with installation and thus many users don't realize that AVG will install additional programs if they are not unselected during installation. Some programs also do not adequately describe their bundled adware services on their official websites and some fail to mention any possible add-ons at all. If a bundled program is installed without a user's consent or knowledge, then it is considered adware.
The best-known example of this is the installation process for AVG antivirus software, which is bundled with adware to advertise products unrelated to security or protection. AVG claims that its agreement gives users the choice of whether or not they wish to install their services while their EULA states that they will be installed unless the user specifically opts out. Many users who do not read the EULA before installing AVG antivirus will have trouble deleting these programs later because they are kept in a separate location from standard programs and do not appear when searching for them on a computer. Such users are often unable to remove AVG alone and may need to consult with a qualified computer technician or organization such as the International Anti-Predator journeying Association (IAPA).
Many programs bundle adware with their installations because it is an easy way for advertisers to make money. This is beneficial for the software vendors because it attracts new customers that would otherwise not install the program but does little for users. For example, AVG's advertising services can't be removed once they're installed unless users pay extra money or use a third party uninstaller. And many times these add-ons come preinstalled on systems without even being noticed because people don't bother to read the EULA before installing a new app or program.
Of course, this kind of behavior is not limited to AVG. Many programs that bundle adware with their programs do so only when the bundled program has been installed. This practice is called "prebundling," and there is no reason for programs not to allow users to remove all prebundled software if they wish. Digital River's free software installation option, which allows users to install any additional software they want during installation, may have helped prevent the creation of adware by allowing users to avoid unwanted services or extensions. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) recommends that companies who use bundled software options offer their customers an uncontroversial and easy way to uninstall all of their preinstalled add-ons.
The piracy of software is not limited to bundled software either. Many people whose computers run pirated versions of Windows developed by Ubuntu have reported that the Chinese government has installed adware on their computers without their consent, and this issue may come under scrutiny by the US government. In addition, software piracy is a major problem in developing countries such as India and China where many people do not have adequate Internet access or legal means for installing software legally. It is unfortunate that illegal downloads are often used as a substitute for legal downloads when acquiring new technology from these countries.
Some security software companies also offer free virus protection with their programs, but while it may cost nothing to install the program, you are still left with adware that you cannot remove. In addition to AVG's services, Trend Micro offers a service called "Panda Cloud Antivirus," which is a free antivirus program that runs on your computer and protects it from viruses remotely. But despite the name of this service, you cannot uninstall it without paying for additional services. In addition, Panda Cloud Antivirus runs at startup automatically and notifies users of threats via pop-up messages even when they have already installed another antivirus program.
It is important to know that the only way to avoid installing bundled software is to not install any new software through softwares meant specifically for downloading. Some products use Direct Download entries which are designed to give users a choice between installing their product or downloading it. However, these entries basically tell users that they need the program and take them directly to the installation page for all of the programs contained in this particular file list. In addition, adware will sometimes be available on offer pages or in paid downloads even if you do attempt to download from such pages. Bundled software that has a Free Software Foundation license may be removed without any problem but most packages will require deleting them manually from your computer.
Master Cleaner and Master Booster may not be harmful to your system but they can affect your browsing experience and consume unnecessary system resources. If you want to keep your computer running smoothly, it is best to remove Master Cleaner and Master Booster while you are still able to.
How to remove Master Cleaner and Master Booster?
If your computer is infected with Master Cleaner and Master Booster, you have several ways to get rid of this adware. You could use an uninstall tool like Revo Uninstaller, which will help you clean the adware out of the operating system in no time at all. You should also scan your computer using a reputable antivirus product, such as Windows Defender or Kaspersky. If you are still unable to remove Master Cleaner and Master Booster from the system, you could use special removal tools developed for removal of such programs without causing any damage to the operating system. We recommend that you scan your system for malware and use an automatic tool to remove all infections in a matter of moments.
Uninstaller
When it has been installed, this add-on will change your homepage and search engine on web browsers as well as modify settings in Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer. This makes it possible to send information about what pages you’re visiting through various tracking means: cookies, log files etc.
Conclusion
Master Cleaner and Master Booster is a questionable program which may not be harmful to your computer but its installation certainly can affect the user experience. Please uninstall this program if you do not use it or need it anymore or if you want to make sure that your PC is clean. If you want to remove adware for good, we recommend using an antimalware solution instead of manually removing third party software programs.
How to Remove Master Cleaner and Master Booster from your PC?
This is one of the most critical steps in the removal process.