UpdateAgent Mac

UpdateAgent

UpdateAgent is a type of program that infiltrates the main browsers on macOS computers. UpdateAgent does this for the purpose of converting these browsers into platforms for online advertising.

UpdateAgent 1024x576

And usually, this is achieved by installing ad-generating components in the browsing program in question. Hence, users who’ve been affected by this type of software begin to notice vast increases in the quantity of banners, popups, in-text links and other types of online advertising materials while they’re browsing the web.

In addition, software like UpdateAgent, Navlibx, QSearch may alter some of the browser’s configurations, whether you’re using Chrome, Safari, Firefox or some other web browser. And these are usually pertaining to the default search engine, as well as the homepage URL. Therefore, you are likely to experience changes there, as well. Last but not least, your browsing program may begin to cause page redirects that automatically take you to various sponsored web locations, which can certainly be very annoying, too.

So, if you would rather not have to put up with your browser rebelling against you, you will have to remove UpdateAgent from your computer. And as this type of software tends to try and make this process difficult for users, you may benefit from a manual removal guide such as the one we’ve put together below.

UpdateAgent for Mac

UpdateAgent for Mac is a browser hijacker that takes charge of the main browsing program on your computer. UpdateAgent for Mac is not harmful, but most experts identify it as a potentially unwanted program or PUP.

This is due to several facts all at once. For one, as you’re no doubt already well aware of, UpdateAgent doesn’t exactly openly request your permission to be installed on your machine. Usually this happens in a sneaky and underhanded way, because no one in their right mind will want to have such software installed on their computer. In this case, UpdateAgent was likely included in the setup of some other application as an optional install. And if you weren’t paying too much attention to the setup, you likely missed the step where you could have left the browser hijacker out of the installation process.

What is UpdateAgent?

Another reason why UpdateAgent is seen as unwanted is that it may expose your system to viruses. UpdateAgent acts as a middle man between you and obscene amounts of content, and some of it may prove to be unsafe.

It may so happen, for example, that a spontaneous page redirect takes you to some infected website. Or you might click on an ad that is linked to some insecure web location. And as a result, your system may be attacked by ransomware, Trojan horse viruses and various other types of malicious code.

The UpdateAgent app

The UpdateAgent app is not a malicious piece of software, contrary to common belief. Nevertheless, the UpdateAgent app may have various negative consequences on your system, such as sluggishness and slowdowns.

Therefore, in order to avoid such things from happening to your Mac, it’s best to simply have the hijacker removed altogether.

SUMMARY:

NameUpdateAgent
TypeMalware
Danger LevelMedium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
Detection Tool

Remove UpdateAgent Malware from Mac

For a quick way to remove UpdateAgent try to do this inside your Mac browser:

  1. Open your Mac browser.
  2. Go to Preferences.
  3. Now navigate to the extensions sub-menu.
  4. Look for any unfamiliar entries, including UpdateAgent.
  5. Remove UpdateAgent from your Mac as well as any other suspicious-looking items by clicking on the trash bin icon.

If this does not help then continue reading this article for more detailed instructions on how to get rid of UpdateAgent!

Step1

The first thing you need to do is to Quit Safari (if it is opened). If you have trouble closing it normally, you may need to Force Quit Safari:

You can choose the Apple menu and click on Force Quit.

Alternatively, you can simultaneously press (the Command key situated next to the space bar), Option (the key right next to it) and Escape (the key located at the upper left corner of your keyboard).

If you have done it right a dialog box titled Force Quit Applications will open up.

In this new dialog window select Safari, then press the Force Quit button, then confirm with Force Quit again.

Close the dialog box/window.

Step2

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Start Activity Monitor by opening up Finder, then proceed to activity-monitor

Once there, look at all the processes: if you believe any of them are hijacking your results, or are part of the problem, highlight the process with your mouse, then click the “i” button at the top. This will open up the following box:

chromeinfo

Now click on Sample at the bottom:

chromesample

Do this for all processes you believe are part of the threat, and run any suspicious files in our online virus scanner, then delete the malicious files:

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    Step3

    The next step is to safely launch Safari again. Press and hold the Shift key while relaunching Safari. This will prevent Safari’s previously opened pages from loading again. Once Safari is opened up, you can release the Shift key.

    On the off chance that you are still having trouble with scripts interrupting the closing of unwanted pages in Safari, you may need to take some additional measures.

    First, Force Quit Safari again.

    Now if you are using a Wi-Fi connection turn it off by selecting Wi-Fi off in you Mac’s Menu. If you are using a cable internet (Ethernet connection), disconnect the Ethernet cable.

    Step4

    Re-Launch Safari but don’t forget to press and hold the Shift button while doing it, so no previous pages can be opened up. Now, Click on Preferences in the Safari menu,

    Preferences in Safari

    and then again on the Extensions tab,

    extensions in safari

    Select and Uninstall any extensions that you don’t recognize by clicking on the Uninstall button. If you are not sure and don’t want to take any risks you can safely uninstall all extensions, none are required for normal system operation.
    Step5

    The threat has likely infected all of your browsers. The instructions below need to be applied for all browsers you are using.

    Again select Preferences in the Safari Menu, but this time click on the Privacy tab,
    Privacy in Safari

    Now click on Remove All Website Data, confirm with Remove Now. Keep in mind that after you do this all stored website data will be deleted. You will need to sign-in again for all websites that require any form of authentication.

    Still in the Preferences menu, hit the General tab

    General Tab in Safari

    Check if your Homepage is the one you have selected, if not change it to whatever you prefer.
    Default Home Page

    Select the History menu this time, and click on Clear History. This way you will prevent accidentally opening a problematic web page again.

    firefox-512 How to Remove UpdateAgent From Firefox in OSX:

    Open Firefoxclick on mozilla menu (top right) ——-> Add-onsHit Extensions next.

    pic 6

    The problem should be lurking somewhere around here –  Remove it. Then Refresh Your Firefox Settings.


    chrome-logo-transparent-backgroundHow to Remove UpdateAgent From Chrome in OSX:

     Start Chrome, click chrome menu icon —–>More Tools —–> Extensions. There,  find the malware and  select  chrome-trash-icon.

    pic 8

     Click chrome menu icon again, and proceed to Settings —> Search, the fourth tab, select Manage Search Engines.  Delete everything but the search engines you normally use. After that Reset Your Chrome Settings.

    If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!


    About the author

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    Violet George

    Violet is an active writer with a passion for all things cyber security. She enjoys helping victims of computer virus infections remove them and successfully deal with the aftermath of the attacks. But most importantly, Violet makes it her priority to spend time educating people on privacy issues and maintaining the safety of their computers. It is her firm belief that by spreading this information, she can empower web users to effectively protect their personal data and their devices from hackers and cybercriminals.

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