How to remove the UpdaterSync adware from your operating system?

How to remove UpdaterSync adware from Mac?

What is UpdaterSync?

UpdaterSync is an adware-type app with browser hijacker qualities. It operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns (i.e., delivering various ads) and making modifications to browsers - in order to promote fake search engines. Due to the dubious methods used to distribute UpdaterSync, it is also categorized as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application). Most PUAs have data tracking abilities, which are employed to collect browsing-related information.

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive adverts - typically on any visited website. These advertisements severely cripple the browsing experience by slowing down the browsing speed and overlaying webpage content. In addition, intrusive ads pose a threat to device and user safety. Upon being clicked, the adverts redirect to untrustworthy/malicious sites and some can stealthily download/install software (e.g., PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine, and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake web searchers. Hence, with a browser hijacker installed: every single search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened - redirect to the promoted address. Illegitimate search engines are usually unable to provide accurate and/or safe search results. In most cases, they cannot generate search results at all, so fake web searchers tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Google, Yahoo, Bing, and other legitimate search engines. Furthermore, browser hijackers can undo any changes users try to make to their browsers and/or restrict/deny access to browser settings outright. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.

Most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. They monitor browsing activity (visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, etc.) and collect personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations, and other details). This vulnerable data is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, unwanted software can cause system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UpdaterSync
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 three days free trial available.

ProcessBrand, ExpandedTask, and CacheImprovment are a couple examples of adware-type applications. They appear ordinary and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with offers of various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, the advertised features are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to nearly all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers. Hence, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects, collect private data.

How did UpdaterSync install on my computer?

PUAs are spread through download/installation setups of other products. This false marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions - is termed "bundling". Rushed download/installation processes (e.g., skipped steps and sections, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts are also used to proliferate PUAs. When clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without user consent. PUAs may have "official" promotional/download pages as well.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research products to verify their legitimacy prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third party downloaders - commonly offer bundled and/or dangerous content. Download and installation processes must be approached with caution; that includes - reading terms, exploring all possible options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opting-out from additional apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive advertisements appear legitimate and innocuous; however, they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., adult-dating, pornography, gambling, etc.). In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this type, the system must be inspected and all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with UpdaterSync, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once UpdaterSync adware's installation is over:

UpdaterSync adware's installation folder:

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 UpdaterSync?
• STEP 1. Remove UpdaterSync related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove UpdaterSync ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove UpdaterSync adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove UpdaterSync ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove UpdaterSync adware using Combo Cleaner:

UpdaterSync adware removal:

Remove UpdaterSync-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 updatersync 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 UpdaterSync removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by updatersync 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 updatersync 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 updatersync 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.

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