POSetup is a malicious program that has been reported by many users to our team.
It is an installer setup program that is used by the well-known rogue program PremierOpinion, which explains the name.
Many users have found it frustrating to see the POSetup program appear on their computer multiple times per day, prompting them to install an unwanted program.
In fact, PremierOpinion was discovered nearly a decade ago, but it chose to resurface and infect users today after being dormant for so long.
The program was created by Comscore Inc. (previously known as VoiceFive), and it claims to help users express their opinions on products and services through online research.
In exchange for feedback, it offers cash, gift cards, or entry into sweepstakes.
However, many sources consider PremierOpinion to be adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP) because of its deceptive installation methods and intrusive behavior.
Adware programs in general
Adware, short for “advertising-supported software,” is a type of program that generates revenue for developers by displaying advertisements on the user’s device.
While some adware is relatively harmless, others, such as PremierOpinion (the main program promoted by the POSetup), can have negative consequences after installation.
These applications are frequently bundled with unnecessary toolbars and applications, which can be difficult to manage.
They bombard users with unwanted advertisements, including banner ads and intrusive pop-ups, and can even alter browser settings.
PremierOpinion is classified as Adware by leading cybersecurity software, including Malwarebytes.PremierOpinion family.
While PremierOpinion may not directly harm your computer, it does open the door to other potentially harmful software.
If your device is infected with advertising-supported software, you may notice annoying banner ads on your screen, and your browser will be inundated with advertisements.
Adware can also be bundled with more serious threats like spyware, ransomware, or trojans.
As a result, having PremierOpinion installed on a system indicates that it has also been compromised by other types of malware.
PremierOpinion, once installed, works as a browser plug-in. It begins displaying surveys on various shopping websites, which can quickly become intrusive.
However, the real issue is its effect on system performance. PremierOpinion utilizes CPU and network bandwidth resources, which can significantly slow down your computer.
POSetup potential risks
One of the risks of using PremierOpinion and similar adware is that they may install additional unwanted programs on your device.
These may include toolbars, extensions, or other software that slows down your computer.
In some cases, these extra programs can even alter system settings to benefit adware developers, making it more difficult to remove.
Over time, these changes can clog the system with unwanted software, increasing the risk of crashes and other performance issues.
Not only is PremierOpinion a system performance issue, but it also poses a privacy risk.
PremierOpinion, according to cybersecurity firms like Malwarebytes, is intended to collect data about the user’s system and browsing habits.
This information is then used to deliver targeted advertisements. Your browsing history, search queries, and potentially more sensitive data could all be collected.
While this data is ostensibly used to improve the user experience, it is more frequently used for marketing purposes, raising serious privacy concerns.
Distribution network
POSetup and PremierOpinion can also be installed on the user’s computer via deceptive download pages that lead you to believe you are receiving the requested file when, in fact, it is a completely different download.
There are numerous examples of platforms that stream illegal content, websites that sell pirated games and software, and malware-infected files.
These programs were installed using both.msi installers and executable files with generic names like Setup.exe.
In some cases, it is loaded using third-party installers, which install the necessary core software alongside the PremierOpinion application and other unwanted components of the installation package.
| Threat summary | |
|---|---|
| Malware name | PremierOpinion Setup |
| Developer | VoiComscore Inc. |
| Installer | POSetup.exe |
| Threat type | Advertising-supported software (Adware), PUP, Rogue Program |
| File type | .exe |
| Delivery network | Bundled into third-party installers & unreputable site downloads |
| Malware behavior | n/a |
| Damage | Potential data loss, poor search results, bad browser experience |
According to our findings, in order to remove the POSetup virus from your computer, you must first identify the source of the program’s inability to launch.
Since executable files cannot open themselves, they are most likely being opened by another entity.
We recommend looking for tasks in your task scheduler that are set to execute POSetup at regular intervals, as well as any unknown programs on your computer that are programmed to do the same.
Or, better yet, scan your computer for malware and clean it up. The tutorial below demonstrates how to do exactly that.
POSetup removal guide
If you need help eliminating POSetup from your computer, you’ve come to the correct place.
The following step-by-step instructions will show you how to uninstall the adware and remove any other malware threats that may have entered your computer’s system.
We considered the technical skills of the people who use the internet, so we made sure the steps are simple enough that even those who aren’t tech-savvy could follow them.
Before proceeding, make sure you have a backup of your data saved somewhere else.
If you don’t, your files may be destroyed or lost as you follow the instructions below. These situations rarely happen, but we recommend doing it just in case.
To remove the POSetup program from your computer, you only need to follow a simple two-step procedure:
Step 1: Uninstall POSetup
In order to get rid of POSetup entirely from the computer system, we need to uninstall the software together with all of its leftovers.
While you can accomplish this with the Add & Remove Programs area in more recent Windows settings, it’s far simpler to use the Programs and Features page in the Control Panel.
The publisher name, the installation date, and the version number will all be displayed in a single grid screen, making it simpler to locate the undesired program. Here’s how to do so:
1. Click on the Windows key to open the Start menu.
2. Type Control Panel in the provided search bar and select the first item from the search results.
3. Click on Programs and inside, select Programs and Features.
4. You will be presented with a list of programs currently installed on your computer.
5. Find POSetup and right-click the item then select Uninstall/Change from the dropdown menu.
We’ll need to use a powerful uninstaller to do the dirty work for us if the software is stubborn and won’t go away with normal approaches.
Fortunately, there are tools for this; Revo Uninstaller is a good uninstaller program made to tackle and remove uninstallable programs.
Uninstall POSetup using Revo Uninstaller1. To start, download Revo Uninstaller by clicking here. Avoid downloading from third-party sources as they may contain additional bloatware upon installation.
2. On the download page, opt for the free version of Revo Uninstaller as it has all the features we need. Click on Free Download to begin downloading the setup file.
3. The revosetup.exe file would have started downloading. Click on it to start installing the software.
4. Revo Uninstaller setup would now begin and follow the typical setup procedure such as selecting your setup language, accepting the license agreement, and selecting the installation location. Once setup is ready click Install.
5. After the setup is finished, check the Launch Revo Uninstaller option to open the program upon closing the installer.
6. Once Revo Uninstaller has opened, it will show you the list of applications currently installed on the computer. Find POSetup, right-click it, and select Uninstall from the drop-down menu. (We will be using PC App Store to demonstrate.)
7. A confirmation message stating if you are sure you want to uninstall the said program, click Continue.
8. Follow the uninstallation instructions and this time, Revo Uninstaller would have forced the program to continue with the uninstallation compared to the previous attempt via Control Panel.
9. You will be notified that the software has been uninstalled, Revo Uninstaller will now conduct a preliminary examination and get rid of additional files and registries related to POSetup.
10. On the selection of Scanning modes, select Advanced to make sure everything is scanned without leaving a single directory unnoticed.
11. Wait for the scan to finish as Revo Uninstaller is checking for residual files and registries related to POSetup.
12. Revo Uninstaller may have found leftover Registry items, click Select All and proceed to delete them by clicking the Delete button next to it. After that, click Next.
13. It may have also found some leftover files and folders, simply do the same by clicking Select All and deleting them. Now click Finish and the uninstallation of POSetup is done.
Step 2: Run second-opinion scans
Antivirus engines may not detect new threats in the early stages of infection due to the malware not yet being recognized by the security software. It might be discovered in the end, but it may be too late for the infected machines.
However, new malware threats may contain strings and signatures from previous malware in a database of existing security products. As a result, other antivirus software may identify it while others do not.
Since some antivirus software may not be able to detect it, we’ll need more than one piece of security software to help us locate and remove the harmful threat.
Please run the software individually. You can do so in any particular order.
- Removal Tool
- Emergency Kit
- ESET Scanner
- Malwarebytes
Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool is an excellent tool for scanning and disinfecting malware-infected computers. Please note that this tool is separate from the mainstream Kaspersky security applications, so worry not about the company’s controversies.
1. To start, download the Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool.
2. Once the download of the executable file (KVRT.exe) is complete. The program doesn’t need to be installed on the computer, so you may begin running it straight away.
3. After reading the KSN Statement, Privacy Policy, and End User License Agreement, check the box indicating your agreement to the terms and conditions. To continue, click Accept.
4. Please wait for the system initialization process to finish, as the program will first check if your system is compatible.
5. Before we start scanning, we will have to set the scope of the scan. Click the Change parameters option to do so.
6. Check all the boxes to allow the computer to search through all of the disks and directories for malware. After that, click OK to return to the main screen.
7. We can now begin the scan; simply click the Start scan button, and the Virus Removal Tool will begin.
8. Await the scan’s completion with patience. If there are any risks within the computer system, a notification will be displayed.
9. To completely remove the risks that the program has identified, click Delete from the drop-down menu of each discovered object.
10. Click Continue to remove the identified malware threats from your computer.
As the name implies, the Emergency Kit software by Emsisoft is a must-use in your malware scanner arsenal. It features the same powerful scanning technology used by their flagship software, Emsisoft Anti-Malware.
1. Download the Emsisoft Emergency Kit portable software.
2. You can launch the executable program (EmsisoftEmergencyKit.exe) directly from your downloads folder after downloading it.
3. Click Yes to let the program start on the computer when the User Account Control window appears.
4. Choose your program’s destination folder and accept the license and maintenance terms. Next, click Install to continue.
5. Click Malware Scan on the homepage of the Emergency Kit application to start the scanning process. The amount of time it takes for the program to scan your computer will depend on how many files you have and the hardware capabilities of your system.
6. Emsisoft Emergency Scanner will display a list of the files that the program has detected when the scan is complete. To get rid of threats from your computer, click on Quarantine selected.
7. To complete the malware removal procedure, Emsisoft Emergency Scanner may also ask you to restart your computer. Simply click Reboot your system to finish the process.
ESET Online Scanner is a program that is designed only to remove malware threats from your computer for free. It is simple to use and features an advanced malware detection system. There is no need for registration, free trials, or anything else. Simply download, execute, and remove the malware.
1. Download the most recent version of ESET Online Scanner.
2. After pressing the download button, the file (Esetonlinescanner.exe) should have been downloaded to your computer. It does not require any installations so you can simply run the aforementioned file.
3. Before using ESET Online Scanner, it must be initialized. Choose your preferred language and click Get started. Continue as directed by the screen until the homepage appears.
4. Click Computer scan from the homepage, then select Full scan from the three options available.
5. Give ESET Online Scanner the permission to detect and remove potentially unwanted apps by ticking the Enable option. After that, click Start scan to begin the scanning process.
6. Await the completion of the malware scan for your machine by the ESET Online Scanner. ESET Online Scanner would have automatically removed the threats it found after the scan. To complete the malware cleanup process, click Proceed.
Malwarebytes Anti-malware is well-known in the security field; they have helped many people with malware issues through their software, and downloading it will help you as well.
Note: We will only use the free version of Malwarebytes because it includes all of the capabilities we require.
1. Download the latest version of Malwarebytes Anti-malware.
2. Malwarebytes will start downloading (MBSetup.exe) the installation file. Run the executable after the download is complete.
3. To allow the program to execute, simply click Yes in the User Account Control window that may appear.
4. The Malwarebytes setup wizard will now open; select Install to continue.
5. You will be prompted by Malwarebytes to install the Browser Guard extension. Depending on whether you want it on your browser or not, you can choose to download it (the extension is completely free).
6. Please wait as the Malwarebytes Setup installs itself. Follow the on-screen instructions until you have successfully installed Malwarebytes.
7. Start by launching Malwarebytes Anti-malware for the first time after it has been installed. If you’re installing Malwarebytes for the first time, you’ll get a 14-day free trial of the premium version.
8. After the program takes you to the main dashboard, click the Scanner box in the middle to start scanning the computer.
9. You won’t click Scan just yet when you get to the Scanner page. Rather, select Advanced scans as shown below.
10. In the Custom scan section, click Configure scan. We will be able to alter the way the software scans the computer as a result.
11. To detect hidden malware, click the box next to Scan for rootkits on the Configure Custom Scan screen. Additionally, to enable Malwarebytes to scan every drive on your computer, check the boxes next to each one.
12. Once the Custom Scan options have been adjusted, click the Start Custom Scan button to get started.
13. A side window displaying the computer scan’s progress will appear. Please wait until Malwarebytes has completed its malware scan of the entire system.
14. Following the completion of the scan, a list of threats found will appear. Check the boxes near all the malicious files and get rid of them from the computer by clicking the Quarantine button.
If prompted, please restart your computer since Malwarebytes may require it.
System protection tips
As the saying goes: “The biggest vulnerability is the person behind the screen“
So, here are some tips and what you need to know in order to keep your device safe and malware-free in the long run.
Keep every software installed up to date
Make sure that all of the programs in your computer is up-to-date with the latest version released by the developer. The reason behind this is that these updates frequently tackle bugs and issues that malware actors often exploit.
The same goes for your computer’s operating system, make sure Windows is up-to-date with the latest software update to prevent malware from exploiting a hidden vulnerability.
Avoid downloading files from unknown sources
One of the biggest sources of malware infection in a computer system is third-party installations. This happens when a user downloads a certain program from sources that are not the official download links. Some of the common types of sources where malware is present are torrent files, cracked software, and games.
Be careful with opening email attachments
Malware often disguises itself as resumes and quotations and threat actors often send thousands of these infected emails to company employees around the world in order to infiltrate their network.
Always check where your emails are coming from as there may be a chance that the project attachment you received via email did not actually come from a co-worker.
Do not visit unreputable websites
Avoid visiting websites that contain unfiltered advertisements such as illegal streaming websites, cracked software platforms, and links sent out to you by somebody you do not trust.
These sites are often linked to redirect chains that load once you click on an ad element on the page. Following this chain often leads to drive-by malware and phishing pages that an average user may eventually fail to notice.