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Auto Mac Speedup Unwanted Application (Mac)

Also Known As: Auto Mac Speedup potentially unwanted application
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is Auto Mac Speedup?

Auto Mac Speedup is another deceptive application that supposedly allows users to enhance computer performance by cleaning caches, unwanted files, rogue applications, and providing other similar features.

On initial appearance, Auto Mac Speedup may seem legitimate and useful, however, developers proliferate this app using the "bundling" method, and thus Auto Mac Speedup is categorized as a potentially unwanted application (PUA).

Auto Mac Speedup PUA

After successful installation, Auto Mac Speedup scans the system and displays a list of errors that must supposedly be fixed. The free version of Auto Mac Speedup is not capable of performing any actions that can help and, therefore, users are encouraged to purchase the 'full version'. Note that "bundled" system optimization tools are often fake.

Most generate false scan results just to scare and trick users into purchasing so-called full versions. Rather than giving any real value, these tools simply clean the false lists and nothing more. Therefore, we strongly advise you to uninstall Auto Mac Speedup and certainly do not pay for the full version.

"Bundling" is often used to proliferate several unwanted applications at once. Therefore, Auto Mac Speedup may not be the only PUA that has infiltrated your computer. In most cases, this method is used to spread adware and browser hijackers. These apps redirect users to malicious websites, display intrusive advertisements, and record user-system information.

Therefore, as well as removing Auto Mac Speedup, you should eliminate other dubious applications/browser plug-ins as well.

Threat Summary:
Name Auto Mac Speedup potentially unwanted application
Threat Type Unwanted application, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (amspd_mtwsite.pkg) Avira - No Cloud (PUA/OSX.GT32SupportGeeks.olerh), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.12881), Emsisoft (Adware.MAC.Generic.12881 (B)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.V Potentially Unwanted), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Auto Mac Speedup is identical to Mac Tuneup Pro, My Mac Speedup, Smart Mac Cleaner, and many others. In fact, there are hundreds of unwanted applications, all of which are very similar. By offering "useful features", these programs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy to trick users to install.

Most unwanted apps usually have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, most unwanted apps provide no real value for regular users. They cause unwanted redirects, gather information, and deliver intrusive ads, thereby posing a threat to your privacy/web browsing safety and diminishing the browsing experience.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Auto Mac Speedup is free for anyone to download on its official website, however, as mentioned above, developers also promote it using the "bundling" method - stealth installation of third party apps together with regular software. Unwanted apps are often proliferated using this method. Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes and skip steps.

Therefore, "bundled" apps are concealed within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. By rushing and skipping steps, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of third party applications such as Auto Mac Speedup.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Caution is the key to computer safety. Therefore, pay close attention when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Be very careful when downloading and installing software. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each window of the download/installation dialogs.

Deselect additionally-included programs and decline offers to download/install them. Avoid using third party download/installation tools, since most are monetized using the "bundling" method. Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus these tools should not be used.

PUAs are also distributed using intrusive advertisements which redirect to malicious websites and execute scripts designed to download/install unwanted applications. These ads usually seem legitimate, however, developers invest time and money into their design. Most redirect to websites such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar.

Developers typically generate these ads using adware-type software. If you encounter them, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Screenshot of Auto Mac Speedup potentially unwanted application:

automacspeedup-app

Appearance of "Auto Mac Speedup" potentially unwanted application (GIF):

Appearance of Auto Mac Speedup unwanted app (GIF)

Official Auto Mac Speedup installation setup:

Auto Mac Speedup installer setup

IMPORTANT NOTE! Auto Mac Speedup adds itself to the list of applications that automatically run upon each user log in. Therefore, before commencing, perform these steps:

  • Go to System Preferences -> Users & Groups. 
  • Click your account (also known as Current User).
  • Click Login Items.
  • Look for "Auto Mac Speedup" entry.  Select it, and click the "-" button to remove it.

Auto Mac Speedup PUA system preferences

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

Video showing how to remove Auto Mac Speedup unwanted application using Combo Cleaner:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from applications folder

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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