Remove apps that cause "Install.app wants access to control" pop-ups
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove apps that display "Install.app wants access to control" pop-ups from Mac computers
What is "Install.app wants access to control"?
"Install.app wants access to control" is text from a fake system notification. This appears on MacOS operating systems that have potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) installed. Note that Install.app is a PUA and should not be allowed to control Safari (Safari.app) or other apps, perform actions within the browser or access documents or other data within it.
These fake system pop-ups commonly appear due to adware or other PUAs that are installed on the operating system. Research shows that this particular unwanted app (Install.app) is installed through a fake Adobe Flash Player. Once installed, it displays pop-up windows asking permission to control apps such as Google Chrome.app, Safari.app and System Events.app. It might also demand permission to control other apps. Install.app asks permission to access documents in those apps and perform actions within them. Giving PUAs permission to control various apps and access data might cause changes to be made to settings, plus redirects to various untrusted or even malicious web pages, problems relating to privacy, browsing safety, and other issues. If you encounter these, or similar pop-up windows, remove all adware and PUAs that are installed on the operating system and browser immediately.
It is likely that these fake system pop-ups appear due to installed adware, which usually displays various advertisements as well. Some examples of ads that adware-type apps display include coupons, banners, surveys and pop-up ads. People who click these ads arrive at dubious, untrusted websites, or allow them to execute scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted apps. Adware can also collect various user-system information. For example, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, and other browsing data. Some adware-type apps target sensitive, personal information as well. Adware developers sell the information to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.
| Name | "Install.app wants access to control" virus |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names (Adobe Flash Player.dmg) | Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-EA [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:Bundlore-EA [Adw]), DrWeb (Adware.Mac.Bundlore.775), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Bnodlero.ah), 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. |
"Osascript wants to control Safari" is an example of a virtually identical pop-up, which appears due to installed PUAs. As mentioned, a pop-up with the "Install.app wants access to control" text appears due to PUAs that are installed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer, however, these apps are also installed in other ways.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Developers distribute PUAs by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other software. In most cases, offers to download/install potentially unwanted apps are listed in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings, however, many people fail to check and change them, thus allowing included PUAs to be downloaded and installed together with other, required software by default. PUAs can also be installed through deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts, however, this happens only when people click the ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Do not download programs or files through unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule,) third party downloaders or other similar channels. Do not install software through third party installers. The only safe way to download software is using official websites and direct links. Check all download and installation settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced", and dismiss offers to download or install additional, unwanted software. Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious web pages - they can open other rogue websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unknown, suspicious or unwanted extensions, plug-ins or add-ons installed on the browser immediately. Also remove software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Text in a pop-up window:
"Install.app" wants access to control
"Safari.app". Allowing control will provide
access to documents and data in
"Safari.app", and to perform actions within
that app.Don't Allow OK
Example of another pop-up:
Text in this pop-up:
"Install.app" wants access to control
"System Events.app". Allowing control will
provide access to documents and data in
"System Events.app", and to perform
actions within that app.Don't Allow OK
One more example:
Text in this pop-up;
"Install.app" wants access to control
"Google Chrome.app". Allowing control will
provide access to documents and data in
"Google Chrome.app", and to perform
actions within that app.Don't Allow OK
Example of a deceptive website designed to promote a fake Adobe Flash Player installer (GIF):
Screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer:
Another screenshot of a fake Adobe Flash Player installer:
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 "Install.app wants access to control"?
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to terminate "Install.app Wants Access To Control" pop-ups using Combo Cleaner:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove 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 "install.app wants access to control" virus 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.
"Install.app wants access to control" virus removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove "install.app wants access to control" virus 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 "install.app wants access to control" virus 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 "install.app wants access to control" virus 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!