How to uninstall UpgradeStart adware

What is UpgradeStart?

UpgradeStart is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), an adware-type app that supposedly improves the browsing experience. In fact, adware serves various advertisements. Furthermore, applications such as UpgradeStart also gather information. People generally download and install adware unintentionally, and thus these apps are classified as PUAs.

Research shows that UpgradeStart can read sensitive information such as passwords, telephone numbers, credit card details (and other data) from websites that people visit. These apps also gather browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, etc.).

Developers misuse gathered information to generate revenue. People who have UpgradeStart installed on their browsers and/or operating systems might thus experience financial loss, problems relating to browsing safety and privacy, and they might become victims of identity theft and experience other issues.

It is possible that UpgradeStart developers will sell collected information to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). This adware-type software usually feeds users with intrusive ads that are displayed in the form of coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and so on.

In many cases, people who click these ads are redirected to untrustworthy websites, however, sometimes the ads execute scripts that cause download/installation of other PUAs or even malicious software. These are the main reasons why you should uninstall UpgradeStart immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UpgradeStart
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), AVG (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.SearchExt.gen), ZoneAlarm by Check Point (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.Script.SearchExt.gen), 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.

UpgradeStart is similar to ReachChoice, GlobalAdviseSearch, FocusProvide and a number of other apps. They supposedly improve the browsing experience and are advertised as useful and legitimate. In fact, they deliver no real value and simply cause problems. In most cases, adware is designed only to help developers to generate revenue.

How did UpgradeStart install on my computer?

Most users download and/or install adware and other PUAs through the intrusive advertisements or when they are included into the download/installation set-ups of other (usually free) software. This distribution method is called "bundling" and is used by developers to trick people into downloading and installing PUAs with other software.

In most cases, offers to download and/or install PUAs are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced" and other options of the set-ups. Information about additionally-included apps is not properly disclosed and, therefore, people who download/install software without checking and changing the settings often download and install unwanted software by default.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not use third party downloaders, installers, unofficial websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule) or other such tools to download or install software. The only safe way to achieve this is using official websites and direct download links. Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings of the download/installation setup.

Dismiss any offers to download or install unwanted, additionally-included software. Do not click intrusive ads, since they often redirect to untrustworthy websites or cause download/installation of various PUAs. Typically, these ads are displayed on dubious pages.

For example, on those relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on. It is also possible that they might also appear on legitimate websites. If you believe that PUAs are already installed, check for extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser and remove all unwanted, suspicious entries immediately.

Also remove software of this type from the computer/operating system. If your computer is already infected with UpgradeStart, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once UpgradeStart installation is complete:

UpgradeStart adware installed on Safari:

UpgradeStart installation 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:

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

Video showing how to remove UpgradeStart browser hijacker using Combo Cleaner:

UpgradeStart adware removal:

Remove UpgradeStart-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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