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

What is LookupDisplay

LookupDisplay is an adware. Adware is something that developed in order to display third-party advertisements to the user without asking permission. LookupDisplay takes control of browsers and redirects them to online ads and scam websites every time you browse the Internet. Adware can end up on your Mac in various ways. Most often is when you download freeware and forget to uncheck the box for the additional apps installation.

Even worse, adware software can have spyware and keyloggers built into itself, leading to greater damage to your computer and possible invasion of your data. So, if you happen to encounter the adware, then be quick and take effort to delete it as quickly as possible. Follow the step-by-step tutorial below to remove LookupDisplay. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.

How does LookupDisplay get on your MAC OS

Usually, adware gets into computers as part of a bundle with freeware, sharing files and other unsafe programs that you downloaded from the Web. The developers of adware pays freeware developers for distributing adware within their programs. So, additional programs is often included as part of the install package. In order to avoid the setup of any adware: select only Manual, Custom or Advanced install mode and uncheck all additional programs in which you are unsure.

Threat Summary

Name	LookupDisplay, LookupDisplay 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware/Adload!OSX, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, MacOS.Agent-MT, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt and Adware.MAC.Generic
Distribution	Free software installers, torrent downloads, suspicious pop-up advertisements and fake software updaters
Symptoms	When you go to a website, you are periodically redirected to another web site that you do not intend to visit, pop-up advertisements won’t go away, there is an unwanted program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, unwanted internet browser toolbars, your browser settings are being modified without your request, low ping but slow Internet.
Removal	LookupDisplay removal guide

How to remove LookupDisplay from Mac computer

In most cases adware requires more than a simple uninstall with the help of the Finder in order to be fully removed. For that reason, our team designed several removal methods which we have summarized in a detailed tutorial. Therefore, if you’ve the LookupDisplay adware on your computer and are currently trying to have it removed then feel free to follow the steps below in order to resolve your problem. Certain of the steps will require you to restart your Apple Mac or exit this web-page. So, read this tutorial carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove LookupDisplay, follow the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by LookupDisplay
2. Delete LookupDisplay associated software by using the Finder
3. Remove LookupDisplay related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove LookupDisplay from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove profiles created by LookupDisplay

LookupDisplay 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 Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with LookupDisplay.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Delete LookupDisplay associated software by using the Finder

Check out the Finder (Applications section) to see all installed software. If you see any unknown and questionable programs, they are the ones you need to remove.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will display a list of all software installed on the machine.
4. Scroll through the all list, and delete questionable and unknown software. Pay maximum attention to the application you installed last.
5. Drag the dubious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove LookupDisplay related files and folders

Now you need to try to find LookupDisplay 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.

LookupDisplay creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.LookupDisplay.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.LookupDisplay.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.LookupDisplay.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.LookupDisplay.service.app

Some files created by LookupDisplay are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 LookupDisplay 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: com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , com.LookupDisplay.service.plist, installapp.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, search.plist, com.machelper.plist and macsearch.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Check for LookupDisplay 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.LookupDisplay.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for LookupDisplay 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 LookupDisplay 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.macsearch.system.plist, com.search.system.plist, com.LookupDisplay.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist and com.machelper.system.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We suggest using MalwareBytes. You can download and install MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to scan for and delete LookupDisplay associated programs from your Mac device. When installed and updated, the malicious software remover automatically detects and removes all security threats exist on the MAC system.

1. Click the link below to download MalwareBytes.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20841 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. After downloading is complete, please close all programs and open windows on your computer. Run the downloaded file. Follow the prompts.
3. The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will start and open the main window.
4. Further, press the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) application will scan through the whole computer for the LookupDisplay adware. This process can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Free tool is scanning, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware.
5. Once the scan is finished, MalwareBytes Free will show you the results.
6. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and click the “Remove Selected Items” button.
7. Close the Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.

Remove LookupDisplay from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘LookupDisplay adware software’ removal problem, then remove unwanted add-ons can help you. In the steps below we will show you the solution to delete malicious addons without reinstall. This will also allow to get rid of LookupDisplay from your web browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
Click on ‘three dots menu’ button at the top right corner of the 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 delete LookupDisplay adware software by reset 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 LookupDisplay adware 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

It’s also critical to protect your browsers from malicious web-sites and advertisements by using an ad-blocker program such as AdGuard. Security experts says that it’ll greatly reduce the risk of malware, and potentially save lots of money. Additionally, the AdGuard can also protect your privacy by blocking almost all trackers.

1. Download AdGuard by clicking on the following link.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3677 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. When the download is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. When the installation is complete, click “Skip” to close the installation program and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial that will help 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 start your MAC system, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive ads, block harmful and misleading web pages.

To sum up

Now your MAC OS should be clean of the adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted pop-ups and annoying harmful web-pages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your computer for new malicious software, hijackers and adware). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac OS. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijackers, harmful programs and adware are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove LookupDisplay from your web browser, then ask for help here.