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How to uninstall DisplayProgram adware

Also Known As: Ads by DisplayProgram
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is DisplayProgram?

DisplayProgram supposedly improves the browsing experience, however, it simply generates revenue for the developers by serving advertisements.

DisplayProgram is adware and also classified as a potentially unwanted application (PUA), since people often download and install it unintentionally. Note that adware displays ads and collects various user-system information. Research shows that this particular app promotes the Safe Finder website by opening it via akamaihd.net.

DisplayProgram adware

Applications such as DisplayProgram feed users with advertisements in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc. Users who click them tend to arrive at various untrusted web pages and allow these ads to execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted, potentially malicious software.

In any case, it is not safe to click ads that appear due to installed adware such as DisplayProgram. Furthermore, it is very likely that DisplayProgram will collect data relating to users' browsing habits. For example, IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited websites.

It might also be capable of gathering personal, sensitive details. Developers might sell the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue in other ways.

People with adware installed on their browsers and/or operating systems risk becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues. Therefore, do not trust these apps and uninstall all adware immediately.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by DisplayProgram
Threat Type Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

DisplayProgram is virtually identical to many other apps of this type including DeluxeFocus, ValueKnow, and UpgradeAssist. Commonly, adware does not deliver any real value or features and is designed only to serve advertisements. In summary, adware-type apps are useless, are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue, and simply cause problems.

How did DisplayProgram install on my computer?

In most cases, adware and other potentially unwanted apps are downloaded and installed together with other programs that users wish to acquire from the internet. This happens when developers distribute them using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They include unwanted apps into the set-ups of other (mostly free) programs and hope that people will not decline offers to download and install them. Typically, offers to download or install PUAs are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the set-ups.

Unwanted apps get permission to be downloaded and installed when users fail to check and change these settings. Additionally, unwanted downloads and installations happen due to clicked deceptive advertisement that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule and other Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial pages, and other channels of this kind should never be used to download or install programs. The safest way is using official pages and direct links. Check all download/installation settings and decline offers to download or install additional software.

Typically, these offers can be found in settings such as "Advanced", "Custom", and "Manual". Do not click intrusive advertisements, especially if they are displayed on dubious web pages. These ads can open various untrusted and potentially malicious websites or cause download/installation of unwanted apps.

Remove all unwanted, unknown, suspicious extensions, add-ons and plug-ins that are installed on the browser immediately. Also remove programs of this type from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with DisplayProgram, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once DisplayProgram installation is complete:

pop-up displayed once DisplayProgram installation is done

DisplayProgram redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

DisplayProgram redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net

DisplayProgram installation folder:

displayprogram adware contents folder

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

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

DisplayProgram adware removal:

Remove DisplayProgram-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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 adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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 regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by DisplayProgram QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by DisplayProgram on your mobile device.
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