Remove WizApp and MacPerformance

What is WizApp?

WizApp belongs to the Pirrit adware family. Adware is a type of software that serves advertisements. Typically, displayed ads conceal underlying content of visited websites and can be very annoying. Adware-type apps are often designed to gather various user information.

WizApp installs another Pirrit adware infection called MacPerformance. Furthermore, it displays pop-up windows that offer to update software with fake updating tools. These pop-ups might be used to distribute other unwanted apps.

Typically, adware feeds users with pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, and other unwanted content/ads. When clicked, these ads open dubious, untrustworthy websites or run scripts that download and/or install unwanted software. This is not the only reason to uninstall WizApp.

This app might also gather various details such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of opened (visited) web pages, and so on. Adware developers often share these details with third parties who misuse them to generate revenue.

Some of these third parties might be cyber criminals. Few people download and install adware apps intentionally - they generally download and install them inadvertently. For this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). As mentioned, WizApp installs other adware called MacPerformance.

This app asks users for permission to access and control the default browser. If allowed, it can gain access to documents and data in the browser and perform actions within the app (browser).

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by WizApp
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (WizApp.app.zip)	Avast (MacOS:Pirrit-AT [Adw]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Generic.14119), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Pirrit.AN), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.s), Full List Of Detections (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.

Typically, adware-type apps help developers generate revenue by displaying ads. In some cases, they do this by recording data, which is often private. Installed adware can lead to unwanted downloads/installations, problems with browsing safety, privacy, and so on.

We recommend that you uninstall WizzApp and other adware immediately. More examples of adware-type apps are DisplayUpdate, AssistEngine and GenerelOpen.

How did WizApp install on my computer?

Few people download and install apps of this type intentionally. In most cases, these downloads and installations happen due to clicked intrusive, deceptive advertisements, or when software developers use the "bundling" method. They use this method to trick people into downloading/installing unwanted apps together with regular software (that people download/install intentionally).

In most cases, they hide these extra apps in "Custom", "Manual", "Advanced", and other settings of various download or installation set-ups.

Note, however, that unwanted downloads/installations happen only when people install or download programs without changing settings that are included in their set-ups. I.e., when they do not dismiss offers to download or install additional software.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software from official sources (websites) and using direct download links. Third party downloaders and/or installers, unofficial and other dubious websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule etc.) often include offers to download or install unwanted software.

These download channels/tools should not be trusted. Typically, offers to download or install unwanted apps can be dismissed through settings that are included in set-ups. For this reason, we recommend that you check and change them if necessary. Do not click ads displayed on dubious web pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography and others.

Typically, they cause redirects to other potentially malicious sites or cause download/installation of unwanted applications. If you see unwanted, unknown and/or suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) installed on the browser, remove them immediately.

Also remove programs of this kind installed on the computer. If your computer is already infected with WizApp, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

WizApp adware process running in Activity Monitor:

WizApp enables a pop-up window that offers to update software with 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 WizApp?
• STEP 1. Remove WizApp related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove WizApp ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove WizApp adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove WizApp ads from Mozilla Firefox.

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

WizApp adware removal:

Remove WizApp-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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