Remove ModuleUpgrade From Mac (Virus Removal Guide)

ModuleUpgrade is a potentially unwanted program that injects advertisements into websites you visit and changes your browser’s default search engine and homepage. ModuleUpgrade is commonly bundled with other programs that you download from the Internet.

What is ModuleUpgrade?

ModuleUpgrade is a malicious program that hijacks your browser homepage and search engine and displays unwanted advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. To do this, ModuleUpgrade uses a browser extension or program.

When installed on a computer, the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker will redirect your browser search queries through ModuleUpgrade Search, which will redirect to search result pages from search.yahoo.com. This is most likely done to generate advertising revenue by using Yahoo Search for its search results.
ModuleUpgrade will also open new tabs in the browser that display advertisements trying to sell software, push fake software updates, and tech support scams.

When the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker is installed on a computer, common symptoms include:

Your web browser’s default search engine is ModuleUpgrade Search
Your browser’s search queries are redirected through ModuleUpgrade Search
The “ModuleUpgrade” browser extension or program is installed on your Mac

How was ModuleUpgrade installed on my computer?

ModuleUpgrade is installed by the users, whether that is knowingly or not. Often, this type of program is offered through advertisements or bundled with other software, leaving the user puzzled about where this software came from.
Unfortunately, some free downloads do not adequately disclose that other software will also be installed and you may find that you have installed ModuleUpgrade without your knowledge.

Image: Malicious Ad distributing ModuleUpgrade — Image: Malicious Ads distributing ModuleUpgrade

If you do not know how ModuleUpgrade was installed or are concerned other extensions or unwanted programs may be installed on your Mac, you can use the removal guide below.

Removal instructions for ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubts at any point, stop and ask for our assistance.

To remove ModuleUpgrade from your Mac, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Remove malicious Profiles from your Mac
STEP 2: Remove ModuleUpgrade from Mac
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Mac to remove ModuleUpgrade and other malware
STEP 4: Remove ModuleUpgrade from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox

STEP 1: Remove malicious Profiles from your Mac

Profiles are used by IT admins in businesses to control the behavior of their Macs. These profiles can configure a Mac to do many different things, some of which are not otherwise possible.
When it comes to home users, adware and browser hijackers are using the configuration profile to prevent users from removing malicious programs from the computer. This also prevents the user from changing that behavior in the browser’s settings.
In this first step, we will check your computer to see if any configuration profiles are installed. To do this, follow the below steps:

Open “System Settings”

From the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen, select System Settings. (On macOS Monterey and earlier, this is called System Preferences.)
Look for “Profiles”

In the System Settings window, search for Profiles — on newer macOS versions you’ll find it under Privacy & Security, or you can type “Profiles” in the search box.

No Profiles section? Good news — that means no profiles are installed on your Mac, which is completely normal. Skip ahead to the next step of this guide.
Remove the malicious profiles

Malware uses configuration profiles to lock your browser settings — forcing a fake search engine or homepage on you and preventing you from changing it back. If you see a profile you don’t recognize (and your Mac isn’t managed by your workplace or school), select it, press the − (minus) button, and click Remove to confirm.

STEP 2: Remove ModuleUpgrade from Mac

In this next step, we will uninstall ModuleUpgrade and remove its files from your computer. Sometimes the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker can have a usable Uninstall entry that can be used to remove it.

Quit “ModuleUpgrade”

On the Apple menu bar, in the top-right corner, if you see the ModuleUpgrade icon, click on it and then select Quit.
Open “Finder”

Click the Finder application on your dock.
Click on “Applications”

In the Finder left pane, click on “Applications“.
Find and remove ModuleUpgrade.

The “Applications” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your device. Scroll through the list until you find ModuleUpgrade, right-click it, and then click “Move to Trash”.

There may be other malicious programs installed on your Mac. Look out for any suspicious program that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program.
Remove ModuleUpgrade files
1. Click the desktop to make sure you’re in the Finder, choose “Go” then click on “Go to Folder“.
2. Type or copy/paste each of the below paths into the window that opens, then click Go.
  - /Library/LaunchAgents/
  - ~/Library/LaunchAgents/
  - /Library/Application Support/
  - ~/Library/Application/
  - /Library/LaunchDaemons/
3. In each of these folders, search for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Usually the name of theses files will contain “ModuleUpgrade”, similar to these : “com.ModuleUpgrade.plist” “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, or “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”.

Now that we’ve uninstalled ModuleUpgrade, in the next step we will scan your computer for any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present on your device.

STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Mac to remove ModuleUpgrade and other malware

In this third step, we will download, install and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove ModuleUpgrade and other malware from your Mac.

Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac

Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.

DOWNLOAD MALWAREBYTES FOR MAC (FREE)
(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)
Open the Malwarebytes setup file

When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes

The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.

When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”

Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
Start the Scan

Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish

Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats

When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
Restart Your Mac

Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.

STEP 4: Remove ModuleUpgrade from Safari, Chrome, or Firefox

In this final step, we will restore your browser settings back to their default configuration to remove spam notifications, malicious extensions, and unwanted browser settings.
Please note that this method will remove all extensions, toolbars, and other customizations but will leave your bookmarks and favorites intact. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the browsers tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser..

Safari BrowserChrome for Mac BrowserFirefox for Mac Browser

Remove ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker from Safari

To remove the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker from Safari we will check if there are any malicious extensions installeded on your browser and what settings have been changed by this malicious program.

Go to Safari’s “Preferences”.

On the menu bar, click the “Safari” menu and select “Preferences”.
Check Homepage.

This will open a new window with your Safari preferences, opened to the “General” tab. Some browser hijackers may change your default homepage, so in the Homepage field make sure it’s a web page you want to use as your start-up page.
Click “Extensions”

Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
Find and uninstall ModuleUpgrade.

The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Safari. Scroll through the list until you find the ModuleUpgrade extension, and then click on “Uninstall” to remove it.

There may be other malicious extensions installed. Look out for any suspicious browser extension that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine extension. By default, there are no extensions installed on Safari so it’s safe to remove any extension.
Remove spam notifications ads

Click Preferences, click Websites, then click Notifications. Deselect “Allow websites to ask for permission to send push notifications”.
Remove all data stored by websites on your computer.

In the Safari menu, choose “Preferences…”, select “Privacy” at the top of the new window that appears, and then click the “Manage Website Data” button.

In the next dialog box, click “Remove All“. It will ask you if you are sure you want to remove all data stored by websites on your computer. Select “Remove Now” to clear data that could be used to track your browsing.
Empty Safari Caches.

From your Safari menu bar, click Safari and select Preferences, then select the Advanced tab. Enable the checkbox to “Show Develop menu in menu bar“.

From the menu bar select Develop, then click on Empty Caches as seen in the image below.

Remove ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker from Chrome for Mac

To remove the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker from Chrome for Mac we will reset the browser settings to its default. Doing these steps will erase all configuration information from Chrome such as your home page, tab settings, saved form information, browsing history, and cookies. This process will also disable any installed extensions. All of your bookmarks, though, will be preserved.

Click on the three dots at the top right and go to Settings.
Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three dots at the top right corner. Now click on the menu option labeled Settings as shown by the arrow in the picture below, which will open the basic settings screen.
In the left sidebar, click on the “Reset and Cleanup” option.
In the left sidebar, click on “Reset and clean up“.
Click “Reset settings to their original defaults”.
Now click on the “Reset settings to their original defaults”. link as shown in the image below.
Click “Reset Settings” button.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset Settings” button.
(Optional) Reset Chrome Data Sync.
In case a malicious extension reinstalls itself even after performing a browser reset, you have an additional option to reset the data sync for your browser. To do this, navigate to chrome.google.com/sync and click on the Clear Data button.

Remove ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker from Firefox for Mac

To remove the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker from Firefox for Mac we will reset the browser settings to its default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.

Go to the “Help” menu.

Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help“.
Click “Troubleshooting Information”.

Next click on the “Troubleshooting Information” option as indicated by the arrow in the image below. This will bring you to a Troubleshooting page.
Click on “Refresh Firefox”

Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
Confirm.

To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
Click on “Finish”.

Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.

Your old Firefox profile will be placed on your desktop in a folder named “Old Firefox Data“. If the reset didn’t fix your problem you can restore some of the information not saved by copying files to the new profile that was created. If you don’t need this folder any longer, you should delete it as it contains sensitive information.

Your computer should now be free of the ModuleUpgrade browser hijacker and other malware.

If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.

10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams

Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.

Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.

Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).

If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.

Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.

If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.

Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.

If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.

Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.

If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.

Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.

If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.

Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.

If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.

Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.

If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).

Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.

If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.

Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.

If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.

Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
- Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
- Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
- Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
- Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
- Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
- Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
- Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.

These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.