SkillFrequency Adware (Mac)

What is SkillFrequency?

SkillFrequency serves advertisements, collects sensitive information and promotes the address of a fake search engine. It functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Typically, users download and install SkillFrequency and similar apps unintentionally. Therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

SkillFrequency adware

In most cases, adware-type applications serve coupons, banners, pop-ups, surveys and other advertisements. These can open dubious websites and, in some cases, execute certain scripts that cause download/installation of PUAs. Therefore, never click these ads.

SkillFrequency also functions as a browser hijacker - it changes browser settings to promote the address of a fake search engine. Generally, apps of this type promote fake search engines by changing the address of the homepage, default search engine and new tab.

They also prevent users from undoing changes that were made by them as long as they are installed on browsers and/or computers. Additionally, SkillFrequency collects credit card details, passwords, telephone numbers and other sensitive information.

This information can be used for malicious purposes: to steal personal accounts, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, steal identities, etc. Therefore, SkillFrequency should never be downloaded or installed.

Threat Summary:
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 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 (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Some more examples of adware similar to SkillFrequency are LogarithmicRecord, AdjustableView and FieldIndexer. Generally, apps of this type are advertised as legitimate, useful, etc., however, most are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue by serving ads and collecting (often sensitive) information.

If SkillFrequency or other similar apps are already installed on the browser and/or computer, uninstall them immediately. As mentioned, users often download and install adware, browser hijackers and other types of PUAs inadvertently.

How did SkillFrequency install on my computer?

In most cases, users download and install adware or other potentially unwanted applications when they are distributed by including them into the download/installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. This distribution method is called "bundling".

Generally, offers to download or install included apps can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings of set-ups. Many users fail to check and change these, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download or install PUAs. Sometimes unwanted downloads and installations are caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not download files or programs through unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, third party downloaders or other similar sources. The same applies to third party installers. All software and files should be downloaded only from official pages and via direct download links.

Furthermore, check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings and decline offers to download or install potentially unwanted software. Do not click ads displayed on dubious pages relating to gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc., since they can open other untrusted websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons) installed on the 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 Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SkillFrequency installation is complete:

skillfrequency adware pop-up displayed once installation is done

SkillFrequency installed on Safari:

skillfrequency adware installed on safari

SkillFrequency installation folder:

skillfrequency adware contents folder

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner

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. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

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:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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.

DOWNLOAD remover for malware infections

Combo Cleaner checks if your computer is infected with malware. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1 Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2 Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3 Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4 Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

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:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

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

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

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".