Ubuntu
firefox package

Performance Optimizer

Asked by survivalinstyle

Hello! Something called "Performance Optimizer" recently popped up on my monitor while I was online (the URL without all the personal info is: http://performanceoptimizer.com/.landing/index). It noted I have 167+ errors in my computer. I thought Linux didn't catch viruses very well. Is "Performance Optimizer" a Linux-based company? Does anyone know if they're for real, or is this a marketing scheme?

In any case, my system refuses to open or run their program. Thoughts or suggestions would be very helpful, thank you. :) Tre

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Ubuntu firefox Edit question
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Ernesto
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Gord Allott (gordallott) said : 		#1

no no no, its a complete con designed to put spyware and horrible viruses on your computer, its not a real check at all its just a fake one. do not do it under any circumstances

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Best Ernesto (ernestoongaro) said : 		#2

I quickly visited the site. On the bottom it advertises:

"If you wish to clean up your registry to make it work quicker, fix a recurring error or broken link, or eliminate problems before they cause severe damage to your PC, handy and user-friendly PerformanceOptimizer is the best solution for you!"

There are a few things here:

1) The program that they are selling on the site you mentioned is for computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems, not Ubuntu.
2) There is no way for a site like that to detect errors on your computer, it is simply an animation. It is not a coincidence that I got 167 errors as well when I visited the site.
3) Do not go trying to install software on your computer for every pop up that suggests it, you are likely to eventually download a malicious program (though much more unlikely in Ubuntu than Windows.)
4) Viruses in Ubuntu are not something you should worry about, just make sure to install software safely through Synaptic (see below)

No worries, happy computing. If you want to try out new software do it through Synaptic - https://help.ubuntu.com/community/SynapticHowto

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survivalinstyle (survivalinstyle) said : 		#3

Thank you! I appreciate the thorough answer. :) Tre