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

What is TypeUpdater

TypeUpdater is an application that acts as Adware. Adware is a form of malicious software that can cause issues for your Mac. The TypeUpdater app can show annoying ads on your internet browser so that your cannot stop them, redirect your browser to malicious web pages, and it can cause unwanted webpages to pop up on your internet browser. This adware might end up on your computer after you download and install free applications from a questionable web-site.

Another reason why you need to delete TypeUpdater is its online data-tracking activity. It can seek out your privacy information stored on the computer, gather this information and use it to steal your identity.

How does TypeUpdater get on your MAC OS

Adware is bundled within certain freeware. So always read carefully the setup screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install process. Additionally pay attention for third-party software which are being installed along with the main program. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, run an ad-blocking program that will help to block misleading and untrustworthy web-pages.

Threat Summary

Name	TypeUpdater, TypeUpdater 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	MacOS.Agent-MT, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Adware/Adload!OSX, ApplicUnwnt, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, OSX.Trojan.Gen, Osx.Adware.Cimpli and Adware.MAC.Generic
Distribution	Free software installers, dubious popup ads, fake software updaters and torrent downloads
Symptoms	Your web browser is redirected to web-pages you did not want, advertising banners appear in places they shouldn’t be, unexpected application installed without your consent, new toolbars on your desktop, your web-browser settings are being modified without your request, fast Internet but slow browsing speeds.
Removal	TypeUpdater removal guide

How to remove TypeUpdater from Mac computer

According to experienced security professionals, TypeUpdater removal can be done manually and/or automatically. These utilities which are listed below will allow you delete adware software, malicious internet browser extensions, malicious software and PUPs . However, if you’re not willing to install other apps to remove TypeUpdater , then use following guidance to revert back your MAC settings to their previous states.

To remove TypeUpdater, complete the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by TypeUpdater
2. Check the list of installed apps
3. Remove TypeUpdater related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove TypeUpdater from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove profiles created by TypeUpdater

TypeUpdater can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

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 TypeUpdater.

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 computer, which is normal.

Check the list of installed apps

The next step to remove browser hijackers, PUPs and adware is to uninstall unknown and suspicious programs. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. We recommend you not to skip this step, as it often helps to get rid of internet browser redirects and unwanted ads.

Make sure you have closed all internet browsers and other applications. Next, delete any undesired and suspicious applications from MAC system using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of software installed on your machine. Most likely, one of them is the TypeUpdater adware. Select the suspicious program or the program that name is not familiar to you and delete it.

Drag the questionable application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove TypeUpdater related files and folders

Now you need to try to find TypeUpdater 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.

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

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

Some files created by TypeUpdater 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 TypeUpdater 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.TypeUpdater.service.plist, com.machelper.plist, installapp.plist, search.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , macsearch.plist and com.net-preferences.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for TypeUpdater 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.TypeUpdater.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you carefully followed the previous steps, then you should be able to delete TypeUpdater. Of course, very often browser hijackers, adware and PUPs hides on a Mac, disguising itself as legitimate apps and files. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult for an inexperienced user to decide whether a particular file is part of adware software, browser hijackers and PUPs. Therefore, we recommend you to use MalwareBytes to scan the Mac.

Installing the MalwareBytes Free is simple. First you will need to download MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) from the following link.

After the download is done, close all programs and windows on your Apple Mac. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes AntiMalware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the screen below.

Now press the “Scan” button for scanning your MAC system for the TypeUpdater adware software. This task may take quite a while, so please be patient. When a malicious software, adware or PUPs are detected, the count of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is done.

After the scan get completed, it will display the Scan Results. When you’re ready, click the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Free will remove TypeUpdater and move the selected items to the Quarantine.

Remove TypeUpdater from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to remove harmful plugins. This can remove TypeUpdater adware and fix some surfing issues, especially after adware infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Google Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. 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 TypeUpdater adware 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 TypeUpdater adware software 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

Run an ad blocking tool like AdGuard will protect you from malicious ads and content. Moreover, you may find that the AdGuard have an option to protect your privacy and stop phishing and spam web-sites. Additionally, ad blocker apps will help you to avoid unwanted popup advertisements and unverified links that also a good way to stay safe online.

Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard from the following link.

When downloading is finished, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your MAC system, AdGuard will run automatically and stop intrusive pop up ads, block malicious and misleading webpages.

Finish words

Now your MAC should be free of the TypeUpdater adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted popup advertisements and intrusive harmful websites) and MalwareBytes Free (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new adwares and other malware).

If you are still having problems while trying to remove TypeUpdater from the Firefox, Safari and Chrome, then ask for help here here.