How to remove DisplayUpdate and MacPerformance adware

What is DisplayUpdate?

DisplayUpdate is an adware-type application and part of the Pirrit adware family. DisplayUpdate installs other adware called MacPerformance (also belonging to the Pirrit family) on Mac computers. When installed, adware-type apps feed users with unwanted advertisements and sometimes collect user-system information.

Furthermore, DisplayUpdate opens pop-up windows that offer to update software using various tools (these are actually fake).

Adware-type applications force affected browsers to display ads such as coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, and so on. Typically, these open untrustworthy/malicious websites, or run scripts that download or install other unwanted applications. In any case, it is not safe to click these ads.

Adware might also be used to record details such as users' IP addresses, addresses of visited websites, entered search queries, geolocations, and other data of this kind. In some cases, adware might record private, sensitive details. Developers share the information with other parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue.

Typically, people do not install adware intentionally. Developers distribute these apps using deceptive methods. Therefore, they are known as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). You are advised to avoid these apps and remove any installed PUAs immediately.

Additionally, if allowed, the MacPerformance app can access and control Google Chrome (or other browsers). Granting these permissions provides MacPerformance with access to documents and data within the browser, and to perform actions within the app.

DisplayUpdate displays fake notifications about possible 'software updates' - it is likely that these pop-ups are designed to distribute other PUAs.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by DisplayUpdate
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Pirrit-AT [Adw]), DrWeb (Adware.Mac.Pirrit.104), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Pirrit.AN), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.s), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

There are many adware-type apps online, all of which have similar behavior. Examples of other adware infections include AssistEngine, GenerelOpen, and TechNetSearch. In most cases,  these apps feed users with unwanted, deceptive ads and/or collect private details. In any case, adware or other PUAs should not be installed on systems.

How did DisplayUpdate install on my computer?

Typically, adware can be downloaded and installed through other software or via intrusive, deceptive advertisements. Some developers seek to trick people into unwanted downloads and installations using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

They include PUAs into the set-ups of other software. Furthermore, they do not disclose related information properly and hide offers to download or install unwanted apps in the settings of various set-ups such as "Custom", "Advanced", and so on.

They hope that people will not check or change any of the aforementioned settings, thereby allowing various PUAs (including adware) to be downloaded or installed through regular software setups.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download and install all software (especially if it is free) properly. Download from official and trustworthy websites, and using direct download links. Do not use third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial pages, or other similar sources when downloading or installing programs.

Handle all installations and downloads properly. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings that are available in the set-ups and dismiss offers to download or install unwanted apps. Once clicked, intrusive ads often cause redirects to dubious, untrustworthy websites or run scripts designed to download or install potentially malicious apps.

If unwanted ads and redirects appear/occur often, it is likely that they are caused by adware installed on the browser/system. To stop your browser from opening unwanted pages or showing ads, remove all unwanted, unknown extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins installed.

Also uninstall programs of this type installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with DisplayUpdate, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

DisplayUpdate adware running in Activity Monitor:

DisplayUpdate enables a pop-up window that offers to update software (actually, via fake tools):

MacPerformance asking for permission to control and access Chrome:

Text in this pop-up:

"MacPerformance" wants access to control "Google Chrome". Allowing control will provide access to documents and data in "Google Chrome", and to perform actions within that app.

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:

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

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

DisplayUpdate adware removal:

Remove DisplayUpdate-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 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.

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