What Is Lucuma?
Lucuma is an Israeli company, a well-known publisher of ad-supported software. The products developed by Lucuma tend to drop many .dll and .exe files onto the system, associated with browser add-ons and toolbars. Even though such software pieces, often regarded as potentially unwanted (PUPs or PUAs), are not classified as malicious, they may cause privacy-related and PC performance issues.
Lucuma Adware Quick Details
| Name | Lucuma Adware |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, PUP |
| Removal Time | Less than 15 Minutes |
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One way to tell that your system has been affected by a PUP is the sudden display of advertisements, related to your browsing history and search queries. Annoying browser redirects and suspicious Java/ Adobe updates presented as pop-ups are other ‘side effects’ brought by the ever-expanding ad-supported software family.
Antivirus scans and anti-malware products detect files generated by Lucuma and mark them as PUP, riskware and/or adware. In some cases, however, the particular AV program may discover a Trojan component. Because many of those third party products collect information, they may also be defined as spyware. In that sense, it is not surprising that an AV tool will detect it as a Trojan. Spyware is mostly represented by adware, Trojans, and tracking technologies.
What Is joeann.dll?
As you might have guessed, joeann.dll is a module developed by Lucuma and detected by multiple AV solutions as adware.
One of the detection names of joeann.dll is:
PUP.Bitcocktail.Lucuma (M)
What is chase64.dll?
The publisher of chase64.dll is, once again, Lucuma. А detailed analysis by herdProtect clearly shows that the .dll file is connected to Shopperz adware.
- Kaspersky detects it as not-a-virus:WebToolbar.Win32.Agent.
- ESET NOD32 detects it as Win64/Toolbar.Perion.B potentially unwanted (variant).
- F-Secure detects it as Adware.Shopperz.A.
Adware Publishers and the Bundling Method
Curiously enough, BitCocktail is another infamous adware publisher that describes adware products as ‘fun consumer applications’.
What one can easily assume is that BitCocktail and Lucuma cooperate, or at least share the same advertising platforms. What is also common between such adware publishers is the method they usually employ to spread their software. As we have written many, many times, the technique is called software bundling. In terms of potentially unwanted applications, software bundling is quite the little, sneaky devil. When the user downloads a free program, let’s say a PDF converter, and skips the Custom download option, he may download an ‘extra’ application.
This is what is usually written in the EULA (End User License Agreement) of a PUP:
The developer of the software (“Software”) you are installing has chosen to use “X” to provide recommendations for other third-party software.
As ridiculous as it may sound, once the software is installed, and certain non-identifiable details are obtained (OS system, preferred browser, etc), the Publisher may choose what third-party products are appropriate for the individual user.
Results of Third-Party Software Infiltration and Bundling
As it turns out, third party products may sneak into in the system in a stealthy manner. Moreover, third party software may be pushed into the system after the primary Publisher has gathered and analyzed whatever information they needed in the first place.
Anyhow, once the installation is complete, the user may be exposed to:
- Persistent advertising campaigns.
- Browser redirects to predefined websites.
- Data collection (personally identifiable and non-personally identifiable information).
- Modifications of the System Registry. Certain files may be added or deleted.
Remove Adware by Lucuma and Similar Publishers
In conclusion, adware applications push many .dll and .exe files into the system. Their prolonged residence may bring about various security issues. According to many malware researchers, adware and PUPs increase the system’s vulnerability to harmful cyber threats. An ad-supported program that seems harmless at first may later turn out to be associated with a virus or a Trojan. Malware is often spread via ‘chain reactions’ – and it often relies on user interaction. Always be extra cautious and research your software.
If your system has been affected by Lucuma, and joeann.dll, chase64.dll, and similar files have been detected, you should remove it via AV software. If you currently don’t have an active AV program, you may want to proceed towards installing one and scanning your system. Even though you may succeed in manually removing the adware, more riskware programs may be still residing in the background.
Milena Dimitrova
An inspired writer and content manager who has been with SensorsTechForum since the project started. A professional with 10+ years of experience in creating engaging content. Focused on user privacy and malware development, she strongly believes in a world where cybersecurity plays a central role. If common sense makes no sense, she will be there to take notes. Those notes may later turn into articles! Follow Milena @Milenyim
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- Microsoft Edge
- Safari
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- Stop Push Pop-ups
How to Remove Lucuma Adware from Windows.
Step 1: Scan for Lucuma Adware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode
Step 3: Uninstall Lucuma Adware and related software from Windows
Uninstall Steps for Windows 11
Uninstall Steps for Windows 10 and Older Versions
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 4: Clean Any registries, Created by Lucuma Adware on Your PC.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Lucuma Adware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.
Video Removal Guide for Lucuma Adware (Windows).
Get rid of Lucuma Adware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Lucuma Adware and remove related files and objects
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 Lucuma Adware. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
- 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 Lucuma 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:
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 2: Scan for and remove Lucuma Adware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Lucuma 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.
Video Removal Guide for Lucuma Adware (Mac)
Remove Lucuma Adware from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Erase Lucuma Adware from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window:
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Uninstall Lucuma Adware from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Remove Lucuma Adware from Safari
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Lucuma Adware will be removed.
Eliminate Lucuma Adware from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
Remove Push Notifications from Your Browsers
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Lucuma Adware-FAQ
What Is Lucuma Adware?
The Lucuma Adware threat is adware or browser redirect virus.
It may slow your computer down significantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What Are the Symptoms of Lucuma Adware?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and have poor performance in general.
Symptom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts recommend that you check your computer for viruses.
What Types of Unwanted Programs Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your device can be rogue antivirus software, adware, browser hijackers, clickers, fake optimizers and any forms of PUPs.
What to Do If I Have a "virus" like Lucuma 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 email 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 activities 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 recommendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
How Does Lucuma Adware Work?
Once installed, Lucuma Adware can collect data using trackers. This data is about your web browsing habits, such as the websites you visit and the search terms you use. It is then used to target you with ads or to sell your information to third parties.
Lucuma Adware can also download other malicious software onto your computer, such as viruses and spyware, which can be used to steal your personal information and show risky ads, that may redirect to virus sites or scams.
Is Lucuma Adware Malware?
The truth is that PUPs (adware, browser hijackers) are not viruses, but may be just as dangerous since they may show you and redirect you to malware websites and scam pages.
Many security experts classify potentially unwanted programs as malware. This is because of the unwanted effects that PUPs can cause, such as displaying intrusive ads and collecting user data without the user’s knowledge or consent.
About the Lucuma Adware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Lucuma 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, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Lucuma Adware?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Lucuma Adware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.