Removing SilkTopic adware and the advertisements it displays

What is SilkTopic?

Our research team discovered the SilkTopic rogue app while investigating new submissions to VirusTotal. After inspecting this piece of software, we determined that it is adware belonging to the AdLoad malware family.

SilkTopic adware overview

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements on various interfaces. These ads promote online scams, untrustworthy/dangerous websites and software, and even malware. Additionally, some intrusive adverts are capable of performing stealthy downloads/installations - once clicked on.

It is pertinent to mention that while genuine products can be encountered via these ads, they are unlikely to be promoted by their actual developers. Instead, this endorsement is undertaken by scammers abusing the products' affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.

It is noteworthy that adware might not display adverts if certain conditions are unsuitable (e.g., incompatible browser/system, specific websites are not visited, etc.). However, regardless of whether SilkTopic delivers advertisements - its presence endangers device/user safety.

Furthermore, AdLoad adware often has browser hijacker functionalities, and this might apply to SilkTopic. However, this app did not exhibit any during testing.

What is more, SilkTopic likely has data tracking abilities. Targeted information may include browsing and search engine histories, usernames/passwords, personally identifiable details, financial/banking data, etc. The gathered information can then be monetized via sale to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of software like SilkTopic on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SilkTopic
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal)
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.

Adware examples

We have analyzed thousands of adware-type applications; CommandAccess, ChipSynergy, FunctionBlast, and TotalResults are merely some examples.

This software usually appears ordinary and innocuous. Users are enticed into download/installation with promises of various "useful" and "advantageous" functionalities. However, these functions seldom work as promised, and in most cases - they do not work at all.

How did SilkTopic install on my computer?

Adware is spread using the bundling marketing technique - pre-packing ordinary programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Download from untrustworthy sources (e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the device.

Additionally, intrusive advertisements proliferate adware. When clicked on, some of the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user permission. Fake Adobe Flash Player updaters/installers are used in distribution as well.

Advertising-supported software can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is pushed through scam sites. Most users enter these pages via redirects caused by mistyped URLs, websites using rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads, spam browser notifications, or installed adware (with browser force-opening abilities).

How to avoid installation of adware?

We highly recommend researching software and downloading only from official/verified sources. Additionally, installation must be treated with caution, e.g., by reading terms, studying available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting-out of all additional apps, extensions, features, etc.

We advise being vigilant when browsing since fraudulent and malicious material usually appears legitimate. For example, intrusive adverts look harmless yet redirect to questionable websites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).

In case of encounters with such advertisements/redirects, inspect the device and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SilkTopic, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SilkTopic adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove SilkTopic adware using Combo Cleaner:

SilkTopic adware removal:

Remove SilkTopic-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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. This software usually has data tracking abilities, which make it a privacy threat. Furthermore, adware-delivered ads promote deceptive/malicious content that can cause severe problems (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.).

What does adware do?

Adware is designed to display advertisements on visited websites and/or other interfaces. Some types can also force-open webpages and collect private data.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware developers generate revenue primarily through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, apps, products, services, and other content.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SilkTopic adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate detected adware-type applications. It must be mentioned that manual removal (unaided by security programs) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, even after the advertising-supported software has been (manually) removed - various remnants (files) stay hidden within the system. Furthermore, the remaining components can continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate adware thoroughly.

▼ Show Discussion