How to uninstall UpgradeCoordinator adware from the operating system

What is UpgradeCoordinator?

UpgradeCoordinator is software classified as adware and also possessing browser hijacker traits. This application operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns, modifying browser settings, and promoting fake search engines. UpgradeCoordinator promotes Safe Finder via search.adjustablesample.com.

Additionally, most adware programs and browser hijackers collect browsing-related information, and this is likely to be the case with UpgradeCoordinator. Due to the dubious techniques used to proliferate UpgradeCoordinator, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive ads. I.e., the delivered ads do not originate from the visited websites, but are placed by UpgradeCoordinator. Intrusive advertisements overlay web page content and diminish the browsing experience.

Furthermore, when clicked, they can redirect to untrusted/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and each new browser tab/window opened, redirects to the promoted address. Fake search engines are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they redirect to (or cause redirection chains leading to) legitimate sites.

In the case of UpgradeCoordinator, the aforementioned actions cause redirects to search.adjustablesample.com, then a redirect to Safe Finder, which uses Yahoo (search.yahoo.com, a genuine search engine) to provide search results.

To recover a hijacked browser the software affecting it must be removed, since any changes users try to make to their browsers are automatically reset, if access to the settings is permitted at all. As mentioned, most PUAs can track data.

They monitor users' browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is typically shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

To summarize, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UpgradeCoordinator
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.4), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to the 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

SearchArchive, SearchStudio, ConnectedBoost, ProgressTrend and DiscoverResults are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem normal and useful, and people are often tempted into download/installation with a wide variety of functionalities. The features promised are seldom operational, and even if they do work, it is not as advertised. This is true of most PUAs.

The sole purpose of these unwanted applications is to generate profit for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect personally identifiable information.

How did UpgradeCoordinator install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated via the download/installation set-ups of other software. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular products with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive ads can infiltrate these applications into systems as well.

Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all software prior to download/installation. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders, commonly offer dubious and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and innocuous, however, they can redirect to various dubious websites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating and others).

If you encounter these advertisements/redirects, check the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with UpgradeCoordinator, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once UpgradeCoordinator adware installation is complete:

UpgradeCoordinator adware installation folder:

UpgradeCoordinator adware installed onto the Safari browser:

UpgradeCoordinator adware promoting search.adjustablesample.com on the Google Chrome browser, by hijacking its settings:

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

Video showing how to remove UpgradeCoordinator adware using Combo Cleaner:

UpgradeCoordinator adware removal:

Remove UpgradeCoordinator-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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