How to remove the LocatorUpdate unwanted application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of application is LocatorUpdate?
LocatorUpdate is the name of an application that we have discovered while analyzing shady websites. After testing the app, we learned that its purpose is to display intrusive advertisements. LocatorUpdate is a typical advertising-supported application that provides no real value to its users.
LocatorUpdate adware in detail
Usually, apps like LocatorUpdate display pop-ups, banners, coupons, and other intrusive advertisements. Once clicked, those ads can open questionable/potentially malicious websites. For example, various scam sites, download pages for shady applications. Moreover, those ads can cause unexpected downloads and installations.
Our malware researchers have examined plenty of apps like LocatorUpdate. It was found that some of them can change the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page. They hijack browsers to promote fake search engines. The problem with fake search engines is that they can promote shady websites (generate misleading results) or show results generated by unreliable search engines.
| Name | Ads by LocatorUpdate |
| 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.h), 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
In some cases, adware-type apps can read credit card details, passwords, and other sensitive details. Also, they can collect browsing-related information. Gathered data can be misused for malicious purposes. Therefore, downloading and installing adware can lead to serious issues.
More examples of apps similar to LocatorUpdate are AgentAdmin, SoftwareHelper, GuideService.
How did LocatorUpdate install on my computer?
It is common for adware to be promoted and distributed using shady websites (for example, sites claiming that it is recommended or necessary to update installed software). Also, it gets installed through deceptive ads or installers for other software.
When software is bundled with adware, it has "Advanced", "Custom", or similar settings (or ticked checkboxes in its installer. Adware gets installed when the software installation is finished without changing the settings mentioned above.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?
Do not finish downloading and installing programs until unwanted apps included in their downloaders and installers are deselected. Also, do not click on advertisements or notifications displayed by shady websites.
Always use official pages as sources for downloading files/programs. Do not trust apps or other downloads from third-party downloaders, P2P networks, and similar sources. If your computer is already infected with LocatorUpdate, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
A pop-up that appears after the installation of LocatorUpdate adware:
LocatorUpdate'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
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 LocatorUpdate?
- STEP 1. Remove LocatorUpdate related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove LocatorUpdate ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove LocatorUpdate adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove LocatorUpdate ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove LocatorUpdate adware using Combo Cleaner:
LocatorUpdate adware removal:
Remove LocatorUpdate-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
Adware can diminish the web browsing experience (its ads can cover website content), slow down a computer, invade privacy, manipulate the web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine.
What does adware do?
Usually, the main purpose of adware is to generate advertisements. Additionally, it can hijack a web browser (by changing its settings) and collect data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
A big part of them uses various affiliate programs to monetize adware. Typically, they promote various products, services, websites.
Will Combo Cleaner remove LocatorUpdate adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan the operating system and remove all adware-type applications. It is worth mentioning that manual removal does not always work since files belonging to adware remain in the system even after its removal.
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