How to remove ScalableSkill adware from operating systems

What is ScalableSkill adware?

ScalableSkill is a rogue application classified as adware. It also possesses browser hijacker traits. After successful installation, ScalableSkill operates by delivering intrusive ad campaigns and making alterations to browser settings to promote bogus search engines - it promotes Safe Finder (via akamaihd.net) in this way.

Most adware and browser hijackers track information relating to browsing activity, and it is highly likely that ScalableSkill has these capabilities as well. Due to the dubious tactics used to distribute this app, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware enables the placement of pop-ups, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements, typically, on any visited website. They overlay web page content and limit browsing speed. Additionally, when clicked, they redirect to various untrusted/malicious sites and can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs).

Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines. Therefore, each search made through the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address.

This is the case with ScalableSkill, which promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net. Fake search engines are seldom capable of providing search results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites. Recovering a hijacked browser is impossible, without removing the software affected it.

Furthermore, most PUAs can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The collected data is often shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on systems can result in financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ScalableSkill
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Fortinet (Adware/Adload!OSX), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), Full List (VirusTotal).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

LeadingAdviseSearch, ManagerBoost and OperativeField are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and useful, and often tempt users into download/installation with offers of "useful" functionality, however, the features promised rarely work and, even if they do work, then, it is not as advertised. In fact, this is true of most PUAs.

This software has one purpose: to generate revenue at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs hijack browsers, force-open untrusted/malicious web pages, run intrusive advertisement campaigns and collect private information.

How did ScalableSkill install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is termed "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing bundled content onto the system. Certain PUAs have "official" download pages. Intrusive ads proliferate these apps as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' permission.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all software prior to download/installation. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders can offer deceptive or bundled content and are thus untrusted.

Download and installation processes must be treated with caution. Read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, functions and other supplementary content. Intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, however, they can redirect to various dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter advertisements/redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with ScalableSkill, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ScalableSkill installation is complete:

ScalableSkill redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

ScalableSkill adware installation folder:

ScalableSkill adware installed onto the Safari browser:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is ScalableSkill?
• STEP 1. Remove ScalableSkill related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove ScalableSkill ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove ScalableSkill adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ScalableSkill ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove ScalableSkill adware using Combo Cleaner:

ScalableSkill adware removal:

Remove ScalableSkill-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

▼ Show Discussion