What are Potentially Unsafe Applications
Closely related to potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) are potentially unsafe applications. This classification may include illegal software or software from unknown or untrustworthy vendors, but is generally applied where use is commonly accepted and is only a cause for concern in certain specific situations, such as when deployed by malware or used by a person with malicious intent. Potentially unsafe applications include the following:
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- Software cracking tools and license key generators: These programs may be used to bypass copy protection. In some cases, this may be permissible (for example, if the software author is no longer in business).
- Hacking tools: These programs are used to compromise a digital device or network. A company might want to restrict access to such programs to security personnel.
- Product key finders: Typically, a user will never have to enter the serial number for software after it has been installed if the software was pre-installed with the computer, he or she may not even know the serial number. There are times, though, when it may be necessary to look up a serial number, such as when hardware is being replaced. However, such programs might be misused to steal serial numbers for software.
- Remote control programs: A company’s IT department might use this type of program to access a computer in a server room or repair a computer at a remote location, but they might not want their other employees to run such programs, which are, for instance, commonly used by fake support service centers.
- Software that displays advertising: This sort of software (i.e., adware) can feature advertising, possibly through a toolbar, or change the displayed pages or search query results in a web browser. This may or may not be acceptable to the user.
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