How to uninstall SoftwareHandler adware from the operating system

What is SoftwareHandler adware?

SoftwareHandler is rogue software categorized as adware and possesses browser hijacker traits. After successful installation, it runs intrusive ad campaigns, modifies browser settings, and promotes bogus search engines. SoftwareHandler promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net.

Most adware-type applications and browser hijackers track browsing-related information, and it is highly likely that SoftwareHandler also has these capabilities. Due to the dubious tactics used to distribute this app, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys and other intrusive advertisements. These ads significantly affect the browsing experience, since they limit browsing speed and website visibility. Additionally, when clicked, intrusive ads redirect to various sale-based/promotional, untrusted, deceptive/scam and malicious sites.

Some of the delivered ads can even execute scripts designed to download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of fake search engines.

Therefore, each new browser tab/window opened and each search query typed into the URL bar redirects to the address of the promoted bogus search engine. SoftwareHandler promotes Safe Finder through akamaihd.net in this manner. Fake search engines are typically unable to provide search results, and so they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate sites.

Furthermore, browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to browser 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, most PUAs (adware 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, the presence of this software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To protect device integrity and user safety, remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SoftwareHandler
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
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. ▼ 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.

ProductiveOperation, ScalableSkill and EssentialOptimizer are some examples of other adware-type apps. They often seem legitimate and users are enticed into download/installation with a wide variety of "useful" functionality, however, the advertised features are seldom operational and, even if they do work, it is not as promised.

In fact, this applies to most PUAs. These unwanted applications have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than delivering any real value, 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 the download/installation set-ups of other products. "Bundling" is the term used to define this deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions.

When downloading/installing, skimming or ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc. increases the risk of unintentionally allowing dubious and/or bundled content into the system. Some PUAs have "official" promotional web pages from which they can be downloaded.

Intrusive ads proliferate these applications as well. When clicked, they can execute scripts to stealthily download/install PUAs.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are strongly advised to research all products prior to download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Untrusted download channels such as 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 caution. Read the terms, explore all available options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of supplementary apps, tools, features, and so on. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

If you encounter advertisements/redirects of this kind, check the system and remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. 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 complete:

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

SoftwareHandler adware installation 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:

• What is SoftwareHandler?
• 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.

Remove adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 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.

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.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the 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 regular browser operation.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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".

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

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".

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

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