I wrote this article to help you remove PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen. This PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen removal guide works for all Windows versions.

PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen, as its name implies, fall under the category of potentially unwanted programs – PUPs. Yet, there is nothing potential in your situation. You are in danger. This pest is hazardous and must be uninstalled. PUPs don’t make for pleasant tenants. Don’t expect PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen to be any different. As soon as you spot it on your machine, take actions against it. If you let it stay, it will eventually get out of control and then your predicament will go from bad to worse. Luckily, the PUP is removable. You can remove it completely without facing any issues. That is, however, if you act fast.

The more time PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen spends on board, the more problems it causes. Some of the damage may even turn out to be irreversible. Do yourself a huge favor and get rid of the threat before it is too late. If you don`t, it won`t be long before you regret it. Once you spot it, start looking for a way out. Find its exact hiding place and don’t think twice before you delete it. This is a cyber infection we are talking about here. Be sure that it was not created to enhance your online activities. On the contrary. It will demolish them. Don’t give it a chance to do so.

PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen enters your PC in silence and starts working immediately. For starters, the PUP goes after your browsers. All of them. It is perfectly compatible with Chrome, Mozilla, Microsoft Edge, Opera, etc. The infection takes complete control over them. It hijacker them and there is nothing you can do about it. Then, the pest starts making unauthorized changes in their settings. It replaces your homepage and search engine. It floods your screen with tons of unreliable ads. It redirects you to numerous shady pages. In other words, it makes surfing the web at peace impossible.

Yet, there is something worse. PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen also jeopardizes your privacy by using your infected browsers as spying devices. It monitors your every online move and records it. Then, when it deems it has gathered enough data, it sends it all to the hackers who published it. Keep in mind that your personal credentials are also in danger. Especially if you use your PC to pay bills online or to make online purchases.

The PUP can steal your name, financial data, address, etc. Does this sound like a good idea? What do you think the crooks will use your personal details for? They will sell it to third parties with malicious agenda. Don’t let that happen. Delete PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen immediately. Aside from anything else, the pest also causes your computer to underperform. Using your machine is a real challenge even when offline. Do the right thing and get rid of the intruder ASAP. It is the best course of action you can take. Take it!

How is PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen distributed? The PUP relies on several techniques to travel the web. For instance, it can hitch a ride with spam emails of freeware bundles. It can hide behind third-party ads, corrupted pages, fake program updates, malicious social media messages, etc. In order to prevent it from infecting you, don’t be so negligent. Take the freeware bundle tactic as an example.

When you install a program, always opt for the Custom settings instead of the Standard ones. Yes, they take more time but they also give you complete control over the process. You will be able to see all additionally attached apps if there are any as well as deselect them. With the Standard options, all extras get installed automatically and that’s how you get infected. Take your time and don’t rush. Choose safety over speed and keep your computer infection-free.

PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen Uninstall

Run the Task Manager by right clicking on the Taskbar and choosing Start Task Manager.

Look carefully at the file names and descriptions of the running processes. If you find any suspicious one, search on Google for its name, or contact me directly to identify it. If you find a malware process, right-click on it and choose End task.

Open Control Panel by holding the Win Key and R together. Write appwiz.cpl in the field, then click OK.

Here, find any program you had no intention to install and uninstall it.

Open MS Config by holding the Win Key and R together. Type msconfig and hit Enter.

Go in the Startup tab and Uncheck entries that have “Unknown” as Manufacturer.

Still can not remove PUP.Optional.APNToolBar.Gen from your computer? Please, leave a comment below, describing what steps you performed. I will answer promptly.