What Is PUP.macOS.Agent Mac
PUP.macOS.Agent is the name of the program, that has been addicted to be potentially unwanted. The main reason for that is the advertisements that may be shown by this software. These ads are often displayed on your Mac without your permission and they may not only slow it down but also lead to dangerous websites, like in the case of scams or even malware. This is why the software is detected as unwanted and an indirect threat.
Read this article if you want to learn more about PUP.macOS.Agent and what steps you should take towards removing it from your Mac.
PUP.macOS.AgentMac – Details
| Name | PUP.macOS.Agent, also known as PUP:Agent, PUP:Agent.macOS, Mac PUP |
| Type | Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and the displaying of different unwanted contents and ads. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down in terms of performance. Auto download of other PUPs may start. |
| Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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PUP.macOS.Agent Virus – How Did I Get Infected
PUP.macOS.Agent is software, known to be a PUP (potentially unwanted). It may share certain similarities to apps, like the Adload adware PUPs, which include the SelectorComponent, ProcessorProgression and LaunchHistoryResults ones.
PUP.macOS.Agent may use tactics, such as software bundling to infliltrate your Mac. These tactics include adding it in the form of a free extra in a random install step of another program installer, like it is shown beneath:
PUP.macOS.Agent may be downloaded in the form of an update for Adobe Flash Player, like shown down below:
PUP.macOS.Agent Mac – What Does It Do?
PUP.macOS.Agent, like many typical potentially unwanted programs like it, may change a lot of the settings of your web browsers in order to show you different kinds of advertisements, like:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive push notifications.
Many of the third-party websites that are advertised by this nasty software can often contain trackers, also known as cookies, pixels, tags or in general – tracking objects:
These objects existing on your Mac is not good for it, because they may be manipulated in order to get information from it, like the following details:
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your mouse movements.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is PUP.macOS.Agent a Virus?
PUP.macOS.Agent may be a browser hijacker or more likely adware. It is not a virus, but it’s still a risky application. It may download files on your device without your permission and make sure a lot of dangerous ads, that may take you to sites like:
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
This is why the software is classified as indirectly dangerous and should be treated as such.
How to Remove PUP.macOS.Agent from Mac?
PUP.macOS.Agent is the type of program, that has been created mainly to get inside your computer and cause different types of advertisements and havoc. To remove it with advice following the guide below. It has been specifically created to assist you into automatically or manually taken care of this threat. If you want the most effective removal that is available, our primary suggestion is that you make sure and scan your device using a professional anti-malware program. The main reason for that is such a software is capable of fully detecting and removing any adware, trackers and malicious applications from your device and protecting it in the future.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and 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 PUP.macOS.Agent files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as PUP.macOS.Agent, 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 PUP.macOS.Agent 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 PUP.macOS.Agent:
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 PUP.macOS.Agent. 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 PUP.macOS.Agent. 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 PUP.macOS.Agent 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 PUP.macOS.Agent. 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 PUP.macOS.Agent – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
PUP.macOS.Agent-FAQ
What is PUP.macOS.Agent on your Mac?
The PUP.macOS.Agent 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 PUP.macOS.Agent?
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 PUP.macOS.Agent?
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 PUP.macOS.Agent Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this PUP.macOS.Agent 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 PUP.macOS.Agent?
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 PUP.macOS.Agent threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.