How to remove DecipherPerformance adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of software is DecipherPerformance?
Our team has tested the DecipherPerformance application and learned that it functions as a browser hijacker and an advertising-supported software: it changes the web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine and displays advertisements. We discovered DecipherPerformance while examining shady, deceptive pages.
DecipherPerformance adware in detail
We learned that DecipherPerformance displays ads used to promote questionable websites and applications and various scams. It also changes the browser's settings, such as the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. DecipherPerformance changes them to an address of a fake search engine.
It is worth mentioning that ads generated by adware like DecipherPerformance can cause unwanted downloads or installations. Fake search engines promoted through such apps usually show results generated by other (legitimate or untrustworthy) search engines and (or) generate misleading results/promote shady websites.
| Name | Ads by DecipherPerformance |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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. |
More about adware
We have tested plenty of apps similar to DecipherPerformance and found that sometimes they can collect sensitive information. Also, it is common for them to be promoted as legitimate, useful applications. Examples of similar apps are ActiveProgram, SchedulerSkyLoad, NetworkBeta.
How did DecipherPerformance install on my computer?
A big part of adware-type applications gets installed through installers downloaded from deceptive websites (for example, from pages that encourage to update the supposedly outdated software). It is also common for adware to be bundled with other software.
Adware gets installed alongside other software when users install that software without changing "Custom", "Advanced", or similar settings (without deselecting optional installations). Sometimes, adware is distributed via deceptive ads by designing them to run certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Always check downloaders and installers for optional downloads or installations and deselect them. It can be achieved using "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings available in downloaders/installers. Also, do not click on advertisements that shady pages display/have on them.
Use official websites and direct links as sources for downloading files and applications. Avoid using other sources such as P2P networks, unofficial sites, free file hosting sites, etc., to download them. If your computer is already infected with DecipherPerformance, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up that appears after the installation of DecipherPerformance adware:
DecipherPerformance's 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
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Quick menu:
- What is DecipherPerformance?
- STEP 1. Remove DecipherPerformance related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove DecipherPerformance ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove DecipherPerformance adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove DecipherPerformance ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove DecipherPerformance adware using Combo Cleaner:
DecipherPerformance adware removal:
Remove DecipherPerformance-related 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 adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 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.
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.
Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers
Remove malicious Safari extensions:
Open the 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 regular browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the 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".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(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".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
The most common issues that adware users encounter are diminished web browsing experience and decreased computer performance. In some cases, adware can invade privacy.
What does adware do?
As a rule, the main purpose of adware is to generate advertisements. Additionally, it can function as a browser hijacker and (or) data collector.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware is used to promote various websites, products, services. Most of the revenue generated through adware comes from affiliates programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove DecipherPerformance adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove detected adware. It will leave no components belonging to adware which often is a problem while trying to remove adware manually (some files belonging to adware remain in the system even when the adware itself is no longer present).
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