But here a few of the most common red flags to help you identify whether a software, program, or app on your new device is indeed bloatware: There are many types of bloatware, each with its own warning signs. How to identify bloatware: 5 warning signs Not only did it result in annoying pop-up ads for users, but Superfish also came with some under-the-radar cybersecurity threats, including vulnerability to serious cybercrimes. To give a real-life example, in 2014 Lenovo preinstalled software called Superfish on its devices to put targeted advertisements in front of consumers. Worse yet, the bloatware might be malicious and downloaded by an unknown party. That’s because the more programs that are downloaded on your device, the more computing power is being used, and even if you don’t use the bloatware program, it’s still taking up memory on your device.Īs a result, your device and the programs you value all run slower. Subjective term aside, one objective truth about bloatware is that it slows down your devices. Other consumers, though, might think of bloatware as a weed, and even resort to calling it crapware.Įssentially, any software, program, or app you did not install on a device yourself can be considered bloatware. Also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs), bloatware is often preinstalled by vendors, manufacturers, or carriers as a form of marketing to put services directly in front of consumers.Ĭonsidering some consumers might find value in the pre-downloaded software, bloatware is a subjective term. What is bloatware?īloatware is unwanted and potentially harmful software preloaded onto new devices. To help get your new devices running, well, good as new, we’re outlining how to remove bloatware from different devices, the cybersecurity downfalls of each type of bloatware, and how to avoid it from the start.
And a slow device is not a device in mint condition. Regardless of intent, one universal truth is that bloatware, like any download, slows down our devices. Others can pose cybersecurity risks and violate your privacy.
Some, like trialware, you might even appreciate and invest in yourself.
It’s not to say that all bloatware is bad. That’s thanks to bloatware - unwanted apps and software that are preinstalled on new devices. The unfortunate reality, however, is that our new devices are often only in near-mint condition. After all, we’re usually buying new devices to replace old ones that are no longer up to snuff. When you buy a new device, you expect that your equipment should come with a clean slate. Bloatware is unwanted and potentially harmful software preloaded onto new devices.
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