How to uninstall Update3239 app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is Update_3239

According to security professionals, Update_3239 is a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that falls under the category of Adware . Adware is short for ‘ad supported’ software. Adware presents unwanted advertisements that appear in unclosable windows or sponsored links on computer screens. In order to show unwanted adverts as often as possible adware software can change your internet browser settings. You may even find that your MAC OS settings are replaced without your conscious permission. The authors of adware do so in order to generate revenue via third-party ad network. Thus every your click on the ads generates profit for them.

Another reason why you need to delete the Update3239 adware is its online data-tracking activity. Adware software can install a component which enables its author to track which webpages you visit, which products you look at upon those pages. They are then able to select the type of advertisements they show you. So, if you had adware on your Apple Mac, there is a good chance you have another that is gathering and sharing your confidential information with third parties, without your consent.

The guide below explaining steps to get rid of Update_3239. Feel free to use it for removal of the adware that may attack Safari, Google Chrome and Firefox and other popular internet browsers. The few simple steps will help you get rid of Update_3239 adware and thus clean your web browser from all intrusive ads.

How does Update_3239 get on your machine

The majority of adware is bundled within free software or even paid software that Net users can easily download online. The install packages of such apps, in many cases, clearly show that they will install optional applications. The option is given to users to block the installation of any optional apps. So, in order to avoid the installation of any adware software: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced installation option and reject all optional software in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	Update_3239, Update3239 app
Type	adware software, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop-up virus, popups, popup ads
Symptoms	advertising banners appear on websites that you are visiting web-page links redirect to websites different from what you expected an unexpected plugin appears in your web-browser your web-browser start page has changed and you are unable to modify it back low ping but slow Internet your MAC OS starts performing very slowly
Removal	Update_3239 removal guide

How to remove Update_3239

As with deleting adware, malicious software or PUPs, there are few steps you may do. We recommend trying them all. If you do only one part of the guide, then it should be use malware removal utility, because it should delete adware and block any further infection. But to completely get rid of Update_3239 adware you will have to at least reset your web browser settings like new tab, search engine by default and homepage to default state, delete all unwanted and suspicious programs, and get rid of adware with malware removal tools. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to close your browser or restart your computer.

To remove Update_3239, use the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Delete Update_3239 related software through the Finder
3. Remove Update_3239 related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove Update_3239 from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

Update_3239 can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to Update_3239.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac, which is normal.

Delete Update_3239 related software through the Finder

One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your Mac computer installed programs screen and look for unwanted and dubious programs. If there are any software you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should uninstall them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to use malware removal tool like MalwareBytes Free.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

It will open a list of all programs installed on your MAC. Scroll through the all list, and remove any suspicious and unknown apps. Right click to suspicious application and choose “Move to Trash”. Another method is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove Update_3239 related files and folders

Now you need to try to find Update3239 related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for Update_3239 generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: Update3239.plist, macsearch.plist, installapp.plist, search.plist and com.machelper.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, adware software and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for Update_3239 generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for Update_3239 generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for Update_3239 generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.search.plist, com.Update3239.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.machelper.plist and com.installapp.plist. In most cases, PUPs, browser hijackers and adware software create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to scan the Mac for PUPs, adware software and browser hijackers. This free tool is an advanced malicious software removal application created by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This program uses the world’s most popular anti malware technology. It is able to help you remove adware and other security threats from your Mac device for free.

1. Installing the MalwareBytes Free is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) by clicking on the following link. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop or in any other place.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20842 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When the downloading process is finished, close all apps and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a file location. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Press the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for the Update_3239 adware. A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your MAC OS and the speed of your Apple Mac. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are detected, the count of the security threats will change accordingly.
4. When the scan get finished, the results are displayed in the scan report. When you’re ready, click “Quarantine”.

Remove Update_3239 from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘Update_3239 ‘ removal problem, then remove unwanted add-ons can help you. In the steps below we will show you the solution to delete harmful extensions without reinstall. This will also allow to get rid of Update_3239 ads from your browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the Google Chrome window. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of Update_3239 by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with Update_3239 removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

We suggest to install an ad blocking program. The ad-blocker tool like AdGuard is a program which basically removes advertising from the World Wide Web and blocks access to malicious web pages. Moreover, security experts says that using ad-blocking programs is necessary to stay safe when surfing the Web.

1. Download AdGuard on your MAC from the link below.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3677 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When downloading is done, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. After the installation is complete, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you don’t need to change anything. Each time, when you run your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ads, block malicious and misleading web-sites.

To sum up

After completing the few simple steps above, your MAC system should be clean from the Update_3239 adware and other malicious software. The Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome will no longer redirect you to various unwanted web-pages and online ads. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.