Recover from application side-effects

Cleanup can remove unwanted applications, but it cannot always reverse the side-effects.

Some applications modify the operating system, e.g. by changing your internet connection settings. Sophos Endpoint Security and Control cannot always restore all settings. For example, if an application changed the browser home page, Sophos Endpoint Security and Control cannot know what the previous home page setting was.

Some applications install utilities, such as .dll or .ocx files, on your computer. If a utility is harmless (that is, does not possess the qualities of a potentially unwanted application), e.g. a language library, and is not integral to the application, Sophos Endpoint Security and Control may not detect it as part of the application. In this case, cleanup won't remove the file from your computer.

Sometimes an application, such as adware, is part of a program that you intentionally installed, and needs to be there for the program to run. If you remove the application, the program may stop running on your computer.

You should:

For more information or advice on recovering from an adware and PUA's side-effects, contact Sophos technical support.