How to uninstall SkillFrequency adware?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove SkillFrequency from Mac?
What is SkillFrequency?
SkillFrequency serves advertisements, collects sensitive information and promotes address of some fake search engine. It functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Typically, users download and install apps like SkillFrequency unknowingly, unintentionally. Therefore, they are called potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
In most cases adware-type applications serve coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys and/or other advertisements. It is common that those ads open questionable websites, in some cases they are designed to execute certain scripts that cause downloads and/or installations of PUAs. For these reasons such ads should not be clicked. Also, SkillFrequency functions as a browser hijacker - it changes browser settings to promote address of some fake search engine. As a rule, apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing settings such as address of a homepage, default search engine and new tab. Quite often they are designed to prevent users from undoing changes that were made by them, therefore, it can be done only when those apps are no longer installed on browsers and/or computers. Additionally, SkillFrequency collects credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and some other sensitive information. If such information is used for malicious purposes, it could be used to steal personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases, transactions, steal identities, etc. These are the main reasons why SkillFrequency should never be downloaded and installed.
| Name | Ads by SkillFrequency |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), 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 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. |
A couple more examples of adware like SkillFrequency are LogarithmicRecord, AdjustableView and FieldIndexer. More often than not apps of this type are advertised as legitimate, useful, etc. Although, most of them are designed only to help their developers to generate revenue by serving ads and collecting various (often sensitive) information. If SkillFrequency or some other similar app is already installed on a browser and/or computer, then it should be uninstalled immediately. As mentioned in the first paragraph, there is a tendency that users download and/or install adware, browser hijackers or other types of PUAs inadvertently.
How did SkillFrequency install on my computer?
In most cases users download and/or install adware or other potentially unwanted applications when they are distributed by including them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers. This distribution method is called "bundling". As a rule, offers to download and/or install included apps can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced", or other settings of setups. However, quite often users download and/or install programs without checking and changing them, therefore, they agree with offers to download and/or install included applications as too. Sometimes unwanted downloads and/or installations can be caused via deceptive advertisements that, when clicked, cause them by executing certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is not recommended to download files or programs various unofficial pages, through Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, third party downloaders or other similar sources. The same applies to third party installers. All software (or files) should be downloaded only from official pages and via direct download links. Furthermore, it is advised not to complete any download or installation without checking "Custom", "Advanced" settings of a setup. It is common that such settings can be used to decline offers to download and/or install potentially unwanted software. Ads displayed on questionable pages related to gambling, adult dating, pornography, and other similar sites should not be clicked as well. They can be designed to open other untrustworthy websites or cause unwanted downloads, installations. Also, there should not be any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins or add-ons) installed on a web browser and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with SkillFrequency, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once SkillFrequency installation is over:
SkillFrequency installed on Safari:
SkillFrequency's installation folder:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is SkillFrequency?
- STEP 1. Remove SkillFrequency related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SkillFrequency ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SkillFrequency adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SkillFrequency ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SkillFrequency adware using Combo Cleaner:
SkillFrequency adware removal:
Remove SkillFrequency-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 ads by skillfrequency 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
Ads by SkillFrequency removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by skillfrequency related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by skillfrequency related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by skillfrequency related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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