How to uninstall UpgradeAssist adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove UpgradeAssist from Mac computers
What is UpgradeAssist?
UpgradeAssist feeds users with intrusive advertisements, promotes the Safe Finder website (it opens this site via akamaihd.net) and collects various user-system information. Most users download and install adware inadvertently. Therefore, these programs are also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Adware-type applications usually serve advertisements in the form of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc. The ads conceal underlying content of opened/visited pages and can also open various untrustworthy, malicious web pages or cause download/installation of unwanted apps by executing certain scripts, however, they cannot perform these actions without first being clicked. PUAs often collect browsing data. For example, entered search queries, addresses of visited/opened websites, geolocations, IP addresses and other details of this kind. UpgradeAssist targets private, sensitive information such as credit card details, telephone numbers, passwords, and other personal data as well. Developers might sell recorded data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). It is possible that UpgradeAssist's developers or third parties could use the data to make fraudulent purchases and transactions, steal online accounts and users' identities. Therefore, UpgradeAssist users can become victims of identity theft, suffer monetary loss, experience problems relating to privacy, browsing safety and other issues. For these reasons UpgradeAssist and other adware should never be downloaded or installed.
| Name | Ads by UpgradeAssist |
| 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.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| Additional Information | This application belongs to the Adload malware family. |
| 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. |
UpgradeAssist is similar to CommonBrand, ProcessSign, TaskBrowser, and many other apps of this type. Typically, installed adware displays various advertisements. PUAs also gather browsing-related (and other) information - they deliver no real value and can cause serious problems. If UpgradeAssist and other apps of this type are installed on the browser and/or operating system, removed them immediately.
How did UpgradeAssist install on my computer?
Typically, people download and install browser hijackers and other apps of this kind (PUAs) unintentionally. In some cases, this happens when they click deceptive ads that run certain scripts, however, PUAs are more commonly downloaded and installed together with other (usually free) software - PUAs are distributed by including them into the set-ups of other programs. This PUA distribution method is called "bundling". Generally, additionally-included apps are mentioned in "Custom" or "Advanced" settings of the set-ups. People often allow PUAs to infiltrate through the set-ups of other programs when they download and install their software without checking and changing the aforementioned settings.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Peer-to-Peer networks (eMule, torrent clients and so on), unofficial pages, various third party downloaders, installers, etc., should not be used to download or install software, since they can be used to distribute unwanted or even malicious software. All programs and files should be downloaded from official websites and via direct links. Check all settings (such as "Advanced", "Manual, "Custom") and dismiss offers to download or install unwanted software before completing the download/install process. Do not trust or click intrusive ads that are displayed on dubious web pages, since they can open rogue web pages or run scripts that cause download/installation of unwanted software. If the browser causes unwanted redirects or displays various ads, remove all unwanted, suspicious/unknown extensions, add-ons and plug-ins immediately. Also remove programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with UpgradeAssist, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once UpgradeAssist installation is complete:
UpgradeAssist redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:
UpgradeAssist installed on Safari:
UpgradeAssist folder and its contents:
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 UpgradeAssist?
- STEP 1. Remove UpgradeAssist related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove UpgradeAssist ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove UpgradeAssist adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove UpgradeAssist ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove UpgradeAssist adware using Combo Cleaner:
UpgradeAssist adware removal:
Remove UpgradeAssist-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 upgradeassist 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 UpgradeAssist removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by upgradeassist 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 upgradeassist 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 upgradeassist 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!
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