Do you feel suspicious of a program called ProductUpgrade on your Mac? We are happy you do. This program is adware with hijacking capabilities, and you should remove it from the macOS as soon as possible. Find out why and then learn how to get rid of it.
ProductUpgrade Mac Adware
ProductUpgrade is a program for Mac that is developed to monetize its presence on systems it affects. That’s why once it obtains access to a macOS, it alters settings that enable it to generate various strange advertisements. The ads could appear both on the desktop or the used web browsers. Beware that the ads pushed by ProductUpgrade pose a particular danger to your affected device. They may be related to bogus sites that host misleading offers.
Even though the progrm is not a Mac virus it is still detected as a potentially unwanted by trusted anti-malware tools.
If the ProductUpgrade adware is running on your Mac, we recommend that you check the removal steps underneath this article and restore your system’s security.
ProductUpgrade Adware Summary
| Name | ProductUpgrade |
| Type | PUP, Adware, Browser Hijacker |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks Mac systems and popular browsers like Safari and Chrome installed on them. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The unwanted program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Corrupted Websites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
SpyHunter for Mac
|
More Details About ProductUpgrade Adware on Mac
ProductUpgrade potentially unwanted program has appeared on the Mac malware scene. It has been identified to act like adware and browser hijacker. What does it mean?
Once started on a macOS, the program will try to obtain access to installed browsers. If it succeeds, it will modify the main settings that will enable it to generate intrusive ads while you are browsing the web.
This behavior makes it an adware program. Adware programs endanger the overall security of systems they affect by presenting people with ads that open unsafe sites. The dangers of visiting a hazardous site include installs of rogue applications, data theft, and unsolicited data collection.
As regards the type of ads that the ProductUpgrade adware may be generating, they are:
- Pop-ups.
- Browser redirects.
- Push notifications.
- Banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Ad-supported search results.
In order to flood your search results with links to sponsored content, ProductUpgrade may change your default search engine. For example, if Google was set as a default search engine, the program may replace it with Yahoo or Bing. Such an issue signifies that the program is a browser hijacker too.
The undesired program has likely landed on your Mac by being part of a software bundle or an extra added to a freeware package. A fake software update may also trick you into installing the undesired program on your Mac. A viral one is the Fake Flash Player Update.
Since the presence of ProductUpgrade adware on your Mac endangers the overall system security, we recommend that you consider its immediate removal. You can follow the steps below and clean your Mac. A timesaving tip is to complete the removal process with the help of the presented anti-malware program. Once you have an active anti-malware program on the device, it will block browser infections like ProductUpgrade and keep your system secure.
How to Remove ProductUpgrade Adware from Mac
To remove ProductUpgrade adware along with all entries it creates on the system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents you with manual and automatic removal approaches. To entirely eliminate files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps. You may not be able to manually remove some of the adware files, except you are an experienced computer user. So the manual adware removal might be quite a complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual steps, navigate the guide’s automatic part.
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 ProductUpgrade Adware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ProductUpgrade Adware, 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 ProductUpgrade Adware 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 ProductUpgrade Adware:
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 ProductUpgrade Adware. 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 ProductUpgrade Adware. 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 ProductUpgrade Adware 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 ProductUpgrade Adware. 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 ProductUpgrade Adware – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ProductUpgrade Adware-FAQ
What is ProductUpgrade Adware on your Mac?
The ProductUpgrade Adware 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 ProductUpgrade Adware?
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 ProductUpgrade Adware?
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 ProductUpgrade Adware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ProductUpgrade Adware 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 ProductUpgrade Adware?
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 ProductUpgrade Adware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.