Remove PowerLog and MacPerformance from MacOS
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove PowerLog from Mac?
What is PowerLog?
PowerLog is an adware-type app and part of the Pirrit family. After installation, PowerLog installs another app of this type called MacPerformance. This app forces browsers to open web pages that offer updates to software with fake tools. Adware is software designed to display various ads. In some cases, these apps can be used to record user-system (and other) information. Typically, people download and install adware inadvertently. Therefore, these programs are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Installed adware feeds users with advertisements that are displayed in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on. People who click them are usually redirected to potentially malicious, untrustworthy websites, or they allow these ads to download (or even install) other unwanted applications that might be malicious. Furthermore, these apps are often designed to collect IP addresses, geolocations, URLs of opened pages, entered search queries and other information relating to users' browsing habits. In some cases, PUAs are used to gather personal details. In any case, people who develop PUAs share the data with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. Some of the third parties might be cyber criminals. To avoid this situation, uninstall PowerLog and MacPerformance immediately. Note that MacPerformance asks users for permission to access and control browsers. If allowed, the program gains access to documents and data within the browser and permission to perform actions within the app.
| Name | Ads by PowerLog |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Pirrit-AT [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Pirrit.HZ), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Pirrit.AN), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.s), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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. |
There are many apps similar to PowerLog. Other examples are DisplayUpdate, PowerLift, and LightAgent. All display intrusive, deceptive ads that usually cause unwanted downloads, installations or redirect to dubious websites. Remove all adware, since it can lead to installation of other PUAs, problems with browsing safety, privacy, and so on.
How did PowerLog install on my computer?
Some PUAs can be downloaded from their 'official' websites, however, many people download and install them unintentionally, or inadvertently. People are tricked into these unwanted installations/downloads when developers use a deceptive marketing method known as "bundling". They add PUAs to the set-ups of other, regular programs that people wish to download. Many people thus install PUAs together with normal software. This happens when they leave settings such as "Custom", "Advanced" (available in software set-ups) unchanged.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Download all files and programs from official websites. Other channels/tools such as Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial pages, third party downloaders, etc., should not be used - these channels are used to distribute PUAs or even malware. Do not use third party installers. Check software setups that contain "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install unwanted apps. Do not trust or click ads displayed on dubious sites (for example, those relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on). Typically, they open untrustworthy or malicious websites, or run scripts that download or install unwanted, potentially malicious applications. To stop the browser from opening dubious sites or showing ads, uninstall all unwanted, unknown or suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons). If that does not solve the problem, remove all programs of this kind from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PowerLog, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
PowerLog process in Activity Monitor:
PowerLog displays a pop-up with an offer to update software with a fake updating tool:
MacPerformance asks to access and control the browser:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is PowerLog?
- STEP 1. Remove PowerLog related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove PowerLog ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove PowerLog adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove PowerLog ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
PowerLog adware removal:
Remove PowerLog-related potentially unwanted applications from your "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 ads by powerlog related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
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 same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
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 same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
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.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "Start Combo Scan" button.
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.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Ads by PowerLog removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by powerlog related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by powerlog related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by powerlog related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!