How to uninstall UpgradeAssist adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove UpgradeAssist from Mac?
What is UpgradeAssist?
UpgradeAssist is designed to feed users with intrusive advertisements, promote Safe Finder site (it opens this page via akamaihd.net) and collect various information. Most users download and install adware inadvertently, accidentally. For this reason programs of this type are also known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Usually adware-type applications serve advertisements in forms of pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, etc. Displayed ads not only cover contents of most (or all) opened/visited pages but also open various untrustworhty, or even malicious pages, or cause downloads and/or installations of unwanted apps by executing certain scripts. Nevertheless, they cannot do that without being clicked. Also, apps of this type often are designed to collect browsing data. For example, entered search queries, addresses of visited/opened websites, geolocations, IP addresses and other details of this kind. UpgradeAssist targets sensitive information such as credit card details, telephone numbers, passwords, and other personal data as well. Its developers may sell recorded data to third parties (potentially cyber criminals). It is possible that either UpgradeAssist's developers or third parties could use recorded data to make fraudulent purchases, transactions, steal online accounts, identities. Therefore, UpgradeAssist's users can become victims of identity theft, suffer monetary loss, experience problems related to privacy, browsing safety and other issues. For these reasons UpgradeAssist or any other adware should never be downloaded and 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 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 and TaskBrowser, and many other apps of this type. Typically, installed adware displays various advertisements. Also, it is common for these app to be designed to gather various browsing-related and/or other information. Apps of this type do not deliver any value and can cause various problems. If UpgradeAssist or any other app of this type is installed on a browser and/operating system, then it should be removed from it right away.
How did UpgradeAssist install on my computer?
Typically, people download and/or install browser hijackers and other apps of this kind (PUAs) unintentionally. In some cases it happens when they click deceptive ads that are designed to run certain scripts. However, more often PUAs get downloaded and/or installed alongside with some other, usually free software. It is common that PUAs are distributed by including them in setups of other programs. This distribution method of PUAs is called "bundling". As a rule, additionally included apps are mentioned in "Custom", "Advanced" settings of setups. People allow for them to be downloaded and/or installed through setups of desired programs when they download and/or install those programs without checking 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 as tools neither to download or install software. It is because 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. If a download or installation setup includes any settings (like "Advanced", "Manual, "Custom"), then they should be checked for offers to download and/or install unwanted software. It is not recommended to finish downloads and installations without checking those settings. Intrusive ads that are showed on unreliable pages should not be trusted, they tend to open pages that are not trustworthy or run scripts that cause downloads and/or installations of unwanted software. If a browser causes unwanted redirects and/or displays various ads, then Unwanted, suspicious and/or unknown extensions, add-ons or plug-ins that are installed on a browser should be removed as soon as possible. Programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system should be uninstalled too. 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 over:
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!