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How to remove SignalBalance adware

Also Known As: Ads by SignalBalance
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is SignalBalance?

SignalBalance serves advertisements, collects sensitive information and changes certain browser settings to z6airr.com or adjustablesample.com. This app essentially functions as adware and a browser hijacker. Typically, users do not download or install SignalBalance or similar apps intentionally and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

SignalBalance adware

SignalBalance can read sensitive information from browsers such as credit card details, telephone numbers, passwords and other data.

If this information falls into the wrong hands, it can be sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals), misused to steal various personal accounts (e.g., email, social media) and identities, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, and used for other malicious purposes.

It is also possible that SignalBalance collects browsing-related information (such as IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations).

SignalBalance changes the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab on Safari browsers to z6airr.com, whilst on Chrome browsers, to adjustablesample.com (the address of another fake search engine).

Generally, apps that hijack browsers in this way prevent users from removing the address of the fake search engine from settings, as long as they are installed. Therefore, users are forced to visit these fake search engines until the are removed from browsers and computers.

SignalBalance serves advertisements. Adware-type apps usually serve pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other ads that, if clicked, can open dubious pages or even execute scripts designed to download or install unwanted software. Therefore, SignalBalance should never be trusted - do not download or install this software.

Threat Summary:
Name Ads by SignalBalance
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 (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.

SignalBalance is similar to many other PUAs of this type including, for example, ProgressHelper, SkilledSystem and FrequencySkill. They are often advertised as useful, legitimate programs, which supposedly include various features, improve the browsing experience, etc.

In fact, their main purpose is to generate revenue for the developers by collecting information, promoting untrusted web pages and serving advertisements. Remove all adware, browser hijackers and other PUAs from the browser and operating system immediately.

How did SignalBalance install on my computer?

Developers often include PUAs into the download/installation set-ups of various (mainly free) programs as 'additional offers'.

Typically, offers to download and install potentially unwanted apps can be declined in "Advanced", "Custom" or other similar settings of the set-ups. Many users fail to check and change these settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate. Additionally, PUAs are installed through deceptive advertisements that run certain scripts when clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

It is not safe to download files or programs from untrusted sources such as torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), via third party downloaders, dubious websites, and so on. Use direct download links and official, trustworthy websites.

Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar options of the software setup, and decline offers to download or install additionally-included unwanted applications. Do not click intrusive advertisements that are shown on dubious web pages, since they can open untrusted, potentially malicious websites.

In some cases, they can start unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) already installed on the browser. The same applies to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with SignalBalance, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SignalBalance installation is complete:

pop-up-displayed once SignalBalance installation finished

SignalBalance extension installed on Safari:

signalbalance adware installed on safari

SignalBalance installation folder:

signalbalance adware contents folder

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:

Video showing how to remove SignalBalance adware using Combo Cleaner:

SignalBalance adware removal:

Remove SignalBalance-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.

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 1Check 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 2Check 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 3Check 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 4Check 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 5Scan 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

Safari iconRemove 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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Ads by SignalBalance QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Ads by SignalBalance on your mobile device.
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