What is AddUpgrade App on Mac?
AddUpgrade is the name of another doubtful app that has been detected to affect Mac operating system. It gets installed on Macs and installed browsers without users’ knowledge. The sudden appearance of AddUpgrade in Mac Applications lists makes affected users believe that it is a virus. The good news is that AddUpgrade is not developed to corrupt system settings and personal data. The bad news is that as long as AddUpgrade is running on your macOS, it will be collecting various technical and personal details. Furthermore, its presence on the system may be misused by bad actors to gain remote access to your Mac. We recommend that you scan your macOS with an advanced anti-malware tool and remove all present harmful files as soon as possible.
Threat Summary
| Name | AddUpgrade |
| Type | PUP, Adware |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks browsers installed on Mac to deliver ads. Probably installed along with another free application. |
| Symptoms | Affected browser is inundated with lots of annoying ads. The browser loads slower than ususal. The unwanted program may start every time you start the system. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Redirects to Shady Websites |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AddUpgrade. |
AddUpgrade Mac App – Is It Dangerous?
AddUpgrade is a strange program that can appear in your Mac Application list without your knowledge. The undesired program is known to affect Mac operating systems with the help of other potentially unwanted programs like Search Baron and Solo Process. Another way for AddUpgrade to trick you into installing it on your Mac is via shady websites that host scam messages. The messages may sound scary by stating that your Mac is infected with viruses or informative by notifying you that your Flash Player needs an update.
To prevent falling victim to scam messages and bogus software packages, you should practice caution. Always download apps from trusted sources and read carefully all details mentioned in the EULA and all other steps in apps’ installers. In addition, look for the Advanced/Custom installation approach so that you can reveal the information there and eventually prevent installing PUPs like AddUpgrade. As regards annoying browser redirects that open bogus websites in the browser, try to spot the scam by checking whether the domain is legit or not, secured or not. If you have any doubt, better close the whole browser and scan the system for any present undesired/harmful files.
The moment AddUpgrade starts on your Mac, it becomes able to access the settings of installed browsers and alter some main preferences. As a result, you may find out that your homepage, new tab page, and default search engine are set to display a deceptive search engine or configured to redirect you to Yahoo/Bing search.
Unfortunately, there are many similar undesired apps that affect Macs in the very same way. Examples of such apps are ContentStyles, Receiver Helper and ContentBenefits.
Yet another issue that occurs after an unnoticed installation of undesired app like AddUpgrade is data harvest. Eventually, the following details may be collected and transferred to remote servers:
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of current Internet service provider (ISP)
- Diagnostic information which describes how their Services are operating on the system
Data records are likely to be used for the configuration of aggressive advertising campaigns that flood the affected browser with lots of annoying advertisements (pop-ups, pop-unders, banners, in-text links, redirects, images, etc.)
The ads generated by the so-called AddUpgrade virus on Mac may be related to suspicious or even hacked web pages. In the event that you load such a page in your browser, you may let it trigger an unnoticed download process of some kind of malicious software on your Mac.
Security experts advise affected users to remove AddUpgrade and associated files from their affected Macs as soon as they detect any of the described issues.
How to Get Rid of AddUpgrade Virus on Mac
In order to remove AddUpgrade virus along with all associated undesired programs, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you manual and automatic removal approach. In order to fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. The manual AddUpgrade removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate to the automatic part of the guide.
In case you have further questions or need additional help with the removal process, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove AddUpgrade files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AddUpgrade, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall AddUpgrade and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to AddUpgrade:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to AddUpgrade. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to AddUpgrade. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove AddUpgrade via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as AddUpgrade. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove AddUpgrade – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AddUpgrade-FAQ
What is AddUpgrade on your Mac?
The AddUpgrade threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like AddUpgrade?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from AddUpgrade?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the AddUpgrade Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AddUpgrade how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on AddUpgrade?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the AddUpgrade threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.