How to uninstall AddUpgrade adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove AddUpgrade from Mac computers
What is AddUpgrade?
The AddUpgrade program is classified as adware and potentially unwanted application (PUA). After installation, adware-type applications feed users with advertisements and collect user-system information. Applications such as AddUpgrade are classified as PUAs, since people often download and install them inadvertently.
Typically, software such as AddUpgrade serve advertisements displayed in the form of banners, pop-ups, coupons, surveys, and so on. People who click these ads tend to arrive at untrusted, potentially malicious websites or allow the ads to run scripts designed to cause download/installation of PUAs. AddUpgrade operates as adware and a browser hijacker: it is designed to promote the akamaihd.net address by changing browser settings. Typically, apps of this type promote fake search engines by modifying settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab. These search engines often provide results generated by other search engines. Note that akamaihd.net redirects users to search.yahoo.com (or to the Safe Finder website which, in turn, redirects to Yahoo) and provides results generated by Yahoo. Adware often collects user/system information relating to browsing habits. For example, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, IP addresses, etc. Research shows that AddUpgrade records personal, sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, telephone numbers. Developers generate revenue by selling the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it in other ways. People who have AddUpgrade installed on browsers or operating systems risk becoming victims of identity theft, suffering monetary loss, experiencing problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, and other serious issues. Therefore, remove AddUpgrade and other apps of this type from the browser and computer immediately.
| Name | Ads by AddUpgrade |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Didnarbois.A), Sophos AV (Adloadr (PUA)), 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. |
ProcessLocator, SoloProcess, and BrowserProduct are example of other adware-type applications. There are many others online. Most feed users with advertisements and track information. They deliver no value and can lead to serious problems. For these reasons, adware should never be downloaded or installed.
How did AddUpgrade 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 or install potentially unwanted apps can be found in "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings. Many users fail to check and change these settings - by leaving default settings unchanged, they often allow additional PUAs to be downloaded and installed together with the required software. PUAs are also installed through deceptive ads that run certain scripts, however, this cannot happen unless the ads are clicked.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
People who download and install software through untrusted sources such as third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, unofficial pages, etc., often download and install PUAs as well. Therefore, all software should be downloaded from official pages and via direct download links. Check all download and installation settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and "Manual" and dismiss offers to download or install additional, unwanted software before finishing the process. Intrusive advertisements displayed on dubious web pages often open potentially malicious pages. They can also cause unwanted downloads and installations. For these reasons, do not click these ads. Remove any unwanted extensions, add-ons and plug-ins already installed on the browser immediately. The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with AddUpgrade, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
AddUpgrade causing redirects to the Safe Finder website (via akamaihd.net), which then redirects to search.yahoo.com:
Pop-up window displayed once AddUpgrade installation is complete:
AddUpgrade installation folder and its contents:
AddUpgrade installed on Safari 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 AddUpgrade?
- STEP 1. Remove AddUpgrade related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove AddUpgrade ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove AddUpgrade adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove AddUpgrade ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove AddUpgrade adware using Combo Cleaner:
AddUpgrade adware removal:
Remove AddUpgrade-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 addupgrade 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 AddUpgrade removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by addupgrade 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 addupgrade 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 addupgrade 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!