What Is “Update will damage” Mac Virus
This article aims to explain what exactly is the “update” will damage your computer. You should move it to the Bin notification and how to remove it from your Mac asap.
“Update will damage” may show up on your Mac because of several different scenarios. For starters, it could be caused by software that may be added on your computer, known as PUP (potentially unwanted program). Another scenario is if the “Update will damage” pop-up pops up without permission due to a dangerous app directly hidden in you library. Other side effects of this do include seeing “Update will damage” to show different ads while you are browsing, which may slow down your Mac and cause it to misbehave and even freeze at times. To learn more about “Update will damage” and how you can remove it from your Mac, we suggest that you read the following article.
Threat Summary
| Name | “Update will damage” |
| Type | PUP/Rogue Application |
| Short Description | “Update will damage” is an alert message. It is known to be caused by Antivirus software that slows down your Mac as it is no longer compatible with that version of the OS or caused by other software that may be unwanted or harmful. |
| Symptoms | Pop-up boxes, messages, and alerts appear on your Mac machine. Your applications may freeze and you have to manually force quit them and even do a restart to get a response from your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Combo Cleaner
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss “Update will damage”. |
“Update will damage” – More Information
“Update will damage” could be shown on your computer as a result of having potentially unwanted applications that may be distributed on your Mac. Such apps often find their way on your Mac by being bundled. Another way to get it according to Apple Community forums is likely by visiting suspicious sites or downloading suspicious software with low reputation. The outcome of this is tht not only end up installing shady software that may flood your Mac with ads and pop-ups, like the “Update will damage” pop-up, but you may also end up getting your Mac infected with malware as a result of that as well.
“Update will damage” is not a high risk pop-up, but may as well be because it may be caused by what appears to be a potentially unsafe software currently added on your Mac. Such program is well known to be connected with a lot of apps that may be considered to be potentially unsafe and you could see ads by them on your computer These alerts often show up each time when an app wants to tamper with your Mac’s other apps or settings.
We have detected several very similar threats to “Update will damage” pop-up, listed below:
- Navlibx Virus on Mac
- Hlpradc Virus Message
- Will damage your computer Error
- Your Mac is Infected with 3 Viruses
The full message states:
“Update” will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash.
This file was downloaded on an unknown date.
Report malware to Apple to protect other users
As you can see, seeing this pop-up may mean that your Mac could be exposed and could be at risk. Please note that in case you move it to trash, this will send a report to Apple if you have checked the mark field and if this is malware, you can send it to Apple so that they could investigate the situation. But even if you cannot be absolutely sure that the “Update will damage” message is caused by adware or malware, your best option would be to immediately remove whatever is causing it.
Remove “Update” will damage your computer Message from Your MAC
If you want to remove the “Update will damage” message and any related unwanted software from your Mac machine we recommend that you use a specific anti-malware for Mac systems that is safe. With a specific anti-malware program, your computer will remain with a better protection and stay healthy performance-wise 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 “Update will damage” files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as “Update will damage”, 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 “Update will damage” 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 “Update will damage”:
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 “Update will damage”. 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 “Update will damage”. 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 “Update will damage” 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 “Update will damage”. 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 “Update will damage” – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
“Update will damage”-FAQ
What is “Update will damage” on your Mac?
The “Update will damage” 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 “Update will damage”?
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 “Update will damage”?
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 “Update will damage” Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this “Update will damage” 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 “Update will damage”?
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 “Update will damage” threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.