Servileness.app Adware (Mac)

What kind of application is Servileness.app?

Servileness.app is a rogue application discovered by our researchers while reviewing new file submissions to the VirusTotal website. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it is adware. We also found that Servileness.app belongs to the Pirrit adware family.

Servileness.app adware detections on VirusTotal

Servileness.app adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. In most cases, this software operates by displaying advertisements on visited websites, desktops, or other interfaces. These advertisements are more than just a mere annoyance – they are a threat due to the content they endorse.

Adware-delivered ads can promote online scams, untrustworthy/harmful software, and even malware. Some can even carry out sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked.

While legitimate products or services may be encountered via these adverts, they are unlikely to be endorsed by any official parties. This endorsement is most likely performed by scammers who abuse affiliate programs to acquire illegitimate commissions.

Advertising-supported software may need certain conditions to function as designed, such as a compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to specific websites, and so forth. However, even if Servileness.app does not display advertisements – it endangers device and user safety.

It is noteworthy that adware often possesses browser-hijacking abilities – but Servileness.app did not exhibit these qualities during our analysis.

Additionally, it is standard for software within this classification to have data tracking functionalities. Hence, Servileness.app might target browsing and search engine histories, browser cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The collected information can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.

In summary, the presence of advertising-supported software like Servileness.app on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Threat Summary:
Name	Ads by Servileness.app
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Pirrit-CH [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Adware.MAC.Pirrit.KF), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Pirrit.BP), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Pirrit.ac), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to the Pirrit adware 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), 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.

Adware examples

Marmose.app, Bobwhite.app, Bushbeater.app, and Iridiophore.app are merely some of our newest articles on Mac-specific adware. Usually, advertising-supported software appears legitimate and harmless. It can also offer a wide variety of "useful" and "advantageous" features. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases – they are utterly nonoperational.

Remember that even if an application or a browser extension works exactly as indicated by its promotional material – that is not definitive proof of either legitimacy or safety.

How did Servileness.app install on my computer?

Adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on scam sites. These pages are primarily accessed via redirects caused by intrusive ads, websites using rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, mistyped URLs, and adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

"Bundling" – packing ordinary program installers with unwanted/malicious additions – is also used in adware distribution. The threat of unintentionally allowing bundled content into the system is increased by downloading from suspicious sources (e.g., freeware and third-party sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and by negligence when installing (e.g., ignoring terms, using "Quick/Easy" settings, etc.).

Intrusive advertisements proliferate advertising-supported software as well. Once clicked on, some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform downloads/installations without user consent.

How to avoid installation of adware?

We strongly recommend researching software and downloading it only from official/verified channels. Installation processes must be approached with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced settings, and opting out of supplementary apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.

We also advise vigilance when browsing since fraudulent and dangerous online content usually appears genuine and harmless. For example, while intrusive ads may look innocuous – they redirect to highly questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.).

In case of continuous encounters with such adverts/redirects, check the device and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with Servileness.app, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.

When removing Servileness.app, it is important to check these folders for its components (the filenames may differ in each folder, yet every single one should contain "Servileness.app"):

~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/StartupItems

Pop-up window displayed when Servileness.app adware is present on the system:

Pop-up displayed when Servileness.app adware is detected on the system

Text presented in this pop-up:

"Servileness.app" will damage your computer.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

Ok
Show in Finder

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 Servileness.app?
STEP 1. Remove Servileness.app related files and folders from OSX.
STEP 2. Remove Servileness.app ads from Safari.
STEP 3. Remove Servileness.app adware from Google Chrome.
STEP 4. Remove Servileness.app ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

Servileness.app adware removal:

Remove Servileness.app-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Manual removal of malicious Mac applications

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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. It is also considered a privacy threat since the software usually has data-tracking abilities. Serious threats are posed by the content promoted through adware-displayed ads, including system infections, privacy issues, and financial losses.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Typically, adware operates by displaying ads on various interfaces, generating redirects, and gathering sensitive information.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate revenue predominantly through affiliate programs by endorsing content. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove Servileness.app adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan systems and remove detected adware-type apps. Note that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some instances, after the advertising-supported software has been manually removed – various leftovers (files) remain hidden within the system. What is more, the remaining components might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate adware and other unwanted software thoroughly.