How to uninstall UpgradeSearchSystem

How to remove UpgradeSearchSystem from Mac computers

What is UpgradeSearchSystem?

UpgradeSearchSystem is one of many potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) - adware-type apps that supposedly improve the browsing experience. In fact, this app delivers no useful features. UpgradeSearchSystem serves intrusive advertisements and collects information relating to users' browsing habits. Typically, people download and install adware (and other PUAs) inadvertently.

Installed adware (in this case, UpgradeSearchSystem) displays advertisements in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on. Typically, these conceal underlying content of visited websites and, if clicked, redirect users to dubious websites. In some cases, they execute scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted applications. In any case, it is not safe to click such ads. Furthermore, adware-type apps often collect details such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations, and other browsing data. In some cases, they can access sensitive information. People behind them (developers) sell the information to third parties who misuse it in other ways. Therefore, the data could fall into hands of cyber criminals. Do not download or install adware, since users risk becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, and other issues.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UpgradeSearchSystem
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (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 three days free trial available.

UpgradeSearchSystem is similar to ContentStyles, UpgradeIdeas, SystemSpin and many other programs that are categorized as adware. These apps supposedly improve the browsing experience and deliver various features, however, most are useless, deliver no value, and cause only problems. They are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue by serving ads and collecting data.

How did UpgradeSearchSystem install on my computer?

Typically, people download and install PUAs unintentionally by clicking deceptive advertisements or when developers distribute them using a marketing method known as "bundling". They use this method to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs together with other, regular software - developers include the apps into the download/installation set-ups of other programs and hide related information in settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced". In many cases, people allow PUAs to infiltrate when they leave these settings unchecked and unchanged. Downloads and installations through deceptive ads occur when the ads execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download all software from official websites and via direct links. It is not safe to download or install programs through third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), and so on. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of all download or installation setups and decline offers to download or install unwanted apps before completing the process. Intrusive ads that are shown on dubious web pages tend to open other, similar websites or cause download/installation of unwanted software. Therefore, do not trust or click these ads. Remove any unwanted, unknown or suspicious extensions, add-ons or plug-ins installed on the browser. The same should be applied to software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with UpgradeSearchSystem, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once UpgradeSearchSystem installation is complete:

UpgradeSearchSystem installation folder:

 

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

UpgradeSearchSystem adware removal:

Remove UpgradeSearchSystem-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 upgradesearchsystem 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 UpgradeSearchSystem removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by upgradesearchsystem 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 upgradesearchsystem 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 upgradesearchsystem 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.