How to remove SoftwareHandler adware from Mac?

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What is SoftwareHandler adware?

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SoftwareHandler is a piece of rogue software, categorized as adware and it possesses browser hijacker qualities. After successful installation, it runs intrusive advert campaigns, modifies browser settings and promotes illegitimate search engines. SoftwareHandler promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net. Most adware-type applications and browser hijackers track browsing-related information, it is highly likely that SoftwareHandler has such abilities as well. Due to the questionable tactics used to distribute this app, it is also deemed to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. These adverts seriously affect the browsing experience, since they limit the browsing speed and website visibility. Additionally, upon being clicked, intrusive ads redirect to various sale-based/promotional, untrustworthy, deceptive/scam and malicious sites. Some of the delivered adverts can even execute scripts, designed to download/install software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign browsers' homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs - to the addresses of fake web searchers. Hence, every new browser tab/window opened and every single search query typed into the URL bar - redirect to the address of the promoted illegitimate search engine. SoftwareHandler promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net - in this manner. Fake search engines are typically unable to provide search results, so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate ones. Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser's settings and/or undo any changes users attempt to make to their browsers. Therefore, the only way of recovering a hijacked browser is by removing the software affecting it. As mentioned in the introduction, most PUAs (adwares and browser hijackers included) can track data. They can record users' 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 usually shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). To summarize, presence of such software on devices can lead to system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

ProductiveOperation, ScalableSkill and EssentialOptimizer are a few examples of other adware-type apps. They rarely look suspicious, they tend to appear legitimate. Users are enticed into download/installation with a wide variety of 'handy' functionalities. However, the advertised features are seldom operational and even if they do work - then, not as promised. In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. Unwanted applications have but one goal - to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs deliver intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers and collect personally identifiable information.

How did SoftwareHandler install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed through download/installation setups of other products. 'Bundling' is the term used to define this false marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions. When downloading/installing: skimmed or ignored terms, skipped steps, used pre-set options, etc. - increase the risk of unintentionally allowing dubious and/or bundled content into the system. Some PUAs have 'official' promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. Upon being clicked, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is strongly advised to research products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, like: unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders - commonly offer bundled content. Download and installation processes must be treated with care. Therefore, it is important to read terms, explore all available options, use the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate and harmless, however they redirect to various questionable pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.). In case of encounters with advertisements/redirects of this kind, the system must be inspected and all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately removed from it. If your computer is already infected with SoftwareHandler, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SoftwareHandler installation is over:

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

SoftwareHandler adware's installation folder:

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Quick menu:

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

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

SoftwareHandler adware removal:

Remove SoftwareHandler-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.

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Remove ads by softwarehandler 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

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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 SoftwareHandler removal from Internet browsers:

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Remove ads by softwarehandler 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.

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

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Remove ads by softwarehandler 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 softwarehandler related Google Chrome add-ons:

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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.

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