How to remove TabApp and MacPerformance from Mac computers

What is TabApp?

TabApp is the name of an adware-type app, which belongs to the Pirrit adware family. Software of this type is usually designed to serve advertisements, however, it is sometimes used to collect information relating to users. TabApp installs another adware-type app from the Pirrit family called MacPerformance.

It also displays pop-ups that supposedly update software, however, it is most likely used to trick people into installing more unwanted software.

Like most adware-type applications, TabApp displays advertisements. Typically, these ads are intrusive and conceal underlying content of visited websites. If clicked, they redirect people to dubious, potentially malicious websites or cause download/installation of unwanted apps.

Some examples of ads that adware deploys are coupons, surveys, banners, pop-ups, etc. TabApp displays deceptive pop-ups that offer updates to installed software, however, these pop-ups are usually designed to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted software.

Furthermore, installed adware might be designed to record details such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited web pages, and other, possibly personal details. In any case, developers of this software often share the details with third parties who misuse them to generate revenue.

Collected data might also be shared with cyber criminals. The MacPerformance app, which is installed with Tab App, asks for permission to access and control the browser (for example, Google Chrome). If allowed, the app is able to access documents and data in the browser and to perform actions within the controlled app.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by TabApp
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (TabApp.app.zip)	Avast (MacOS:Pirrit-AT [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.14275), 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. ▼ 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.

There are many adware-type apps on the internet that help developers to generate revenue by displaying ads and collecting data.

Examples of other adware infections include LocalDefault, FormalSearch, and ResultsValue. Apps of this type can cause problems with browsing safety, privacy, and they can lead to unwanted downloads, installations, and so on. We advise you to remove TabApp, MacPerformance and any other adware from your computer and browser immediately.

How did TabApp install on my computer?

Typically, people download and install unwanted apps unintentionally when they fail to notice their inclusion in the set-ups of other software.

This adware and PUA distribution method is called "bundling". Typically, information about the additional apps can be found in the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the download/installation set-ups, however, some people fail to check and change these settings, thereby causing unwanted downloads and installations.

By leaving the settings unchanged, they often give permission for various PUAs to be downloaded and/or installed with other software by default. In other cases, people end up having PUAs installed when they click deceptive advertisements that run scripts - these download and install unwanted apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download or install software from dubious web pages, using third party downloaders, installers, through Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and so on. Software should be downloaded from official websites only. Do not to leave settings (such as "Custom", "Advanced") that are available in download or installation set-ups unchanged.

Check them carefully and dismiss any offers to download or install unwanted software before completing the download or installation procedure. Do not trust or click intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious websites - they might lead to unwanted downloads/installations or other problems.

If the browser causes unwanted redirects or displays ads, it is likely that there is adware or another PUA installed on it. In these cases, uninstall all suspicious, unknown plug-ins, extensions, and add-ons from the browser, and programs from the operating system immediately.

If your computer is already infected with TabApp, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

TabApp process running in Activity Monitor:

TabApp enables a pop-up window that offers to update software with tools (they are fake):

MacPerformance asking for permission to control and access Chrome:

Text in this pop-up:

"MacPerformance" wants access to control "Google Chrome". Allowing control will provide access to documents and data in "Google Chrome", and to perform actions within that app.

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:

• What is TabApp?
• STEP 1. Remove TabApp related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove TabApp ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove TabApp adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove TabApp ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove TabApp adware using Combo Cleaner:

TabApp adware removal:

Remove TabApp-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 adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 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.

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.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the 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 regular browser operation.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the 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".

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (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".

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

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