Removal instructions for the UpgradeAdvice adware-type application

What kind of application is UpgradeAdvice?

Our research team discovered the UpgradeAdvice app while inspecting file submissions to the VirusTotal website. Upon examination, it became evident that UpgradeAdvice is advertising-supported software (adware) from the AdLoad malware family.

UpgradeAdvice adware overview

Adware generates revenue through advertising. It typically enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., overlays, pop-ups, banners, etc.) on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Note that certain conditions may be required for this software to operate as intended (e.g., compatible browser/system, visits to specific sites, etc.). However, even if UpgradeAdvice does not display advertisements – it endangers device and user safety.

Adware-delivered ads can promote online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user permission.

While genuine products/services may be encountered via these advertisements – they are unlikely to be endorsed in this manner by their actual developers. It is most probable that this endorsement is done by scammers motivated to acquire illegitimate commissions by abusing the promoted content's affiliate programs.

We have found many AdLoad applications with browser-hijacking functionalities in the past – however, UpgradeAdvice did not exhibit these traits during testing.

Advertising-supported software usually has data-tracking abilities, and this might apply to the UpgradeAdvice app. Collected information may include: browsing and search engine histories, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, finance-related data, and so on. This vulnerable information can then be shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, software like UpgradeAdvice may cause system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by UpgradeAdvice
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AB [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.g), 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), 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.

Adware examples

SyncAnalyser, StationSure, ClientGuide, and DiscoveryExemplary are just some examples of adware-type apps we have analyzed recently. Advertising-supported software rarely looks suspicious – it tends to appear ordinary and innocuous.

Users may be enticed into downloading/installing it by promises of various "handy" functions. However, these functionalities seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they do not work at all. Remember that operational features do not prove a software's legitimacy or safety.

How did UpgradeAdvice install on my computer?

Adware can be bundled with regular programs. Downloading from freeware and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks, and other suspect sources – poses a threat of bundled content infiltrating the device. The risk is further compounded by rushing through installation processes (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Additionally, adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed by scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects generated by misspelled URLs, intrusive ads, websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

Intrusive adverts spread advertising-supported software as well. Some of the adverts can be triggered (i.e., by being clicked) to execute scripts that perform stealthy downloads/installations.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/trustworthy channels. When installing, it is essential to study terms and options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of all additional apps, extensions, features, and so forth.

Another recommendation is to be careful while browsing since fraudulent and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and harmless. For example, despite their innocuous appearance – intrusive advertisements redirect to unreliable/questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).

If you keep encountering such ads/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with UpgradeAdvice, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once UpgradeAdvice adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove UpgradeAdvice adware using Combo Cleaner:

UpgradeAdvice adware removal:

Remove UpgradeAdvice-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?

The presence of advertising-supported software on a device can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. The ads displayed by adware can promote content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). This software is also deemed to be a threat to user privacy, as it typically possesses data-tracking functionalities.

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to deliver intrusive advertisement campaigns. The software's primary functions can include placing ads on various interfaces, force-opening websites, and gathering private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue by endorsing various sites, applications, browser extensions, products, services, and other content. Most of the profit is made through affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove UpgradeAdvice adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and remove detected adware-type apps. Keep in mind that manual removal (performed without security programs) might be ineffective. In some instances, file leftovers remain hidden within the system after the adware has been manually removed. These remnants might continue to run and cause problems. Therefore, advertising-supported software must be eliminated thoroughly.

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