Removal instructions for EnhancementSkills adware-type app
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is EnhancementSkills?
Our researchers discovered EnhancementSkills while investigating new submissions to the VirusTotal site. After examining this app, we determined that it is adware from the AdLoad malware family. EnhancementSkills is designed to run intrusive advertisement campaigns.
EnhancementSkills adware overview
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Its purpose is to generate revenue through advertising, and the software typically does so by displaying third-party graphical content (advertisements) on various interfaces.
However, specific conditions may be required for adware to work as intended (e.g., compatible browser/system or user geolocation, visits to particular websites, etc.). Regardless of whether EnhancementSkills displays ads – its presence on a device threatens system safety and user privacy.
Ads delivered by adware can endorse online scams, unreliable/hazardous software, and malware. Once clicked on, some of these ads can even carry out stealthy downloads/installations.
It must be mentioned that any genuine content encountered via these adverts is most likely promoted by scammers who abuse its affiliate programs to obtain illegitimate commissions.
While we have found many instances of AdLoad applications with browser-hijacking capabilities, EnhancementSkills did not exhibit these qualities during our analysis.
What is more, advertising-supported software usually collects sensitive user data, and EnhancementSkills might possess such data-tracking functionalities as well. Targeted information may include: URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, Internet cookies, account log-in credentials, personally identifiable details, credit card numbers, etc. The gathered data can be sold to third-parties or otherwise abused for profit.
To summarize, the presence of software like EnhancementSkills on devices may lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.
| Name | Ads by EnhancementSkills |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:DangerousSig [Trj]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Adload.23), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.H), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.m), 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), 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. |
Adware examples
Advertising-supported software usually appears ordinary and innocuous. It can also offer a broad range of "advantageous" functionalities. These functions rarely work as promised, and in most cases – they are completely nonoperational. However, you must remember that functional features alone do not prove a software's legitimacy or safety.
Cologne.app, FiberOpticLauncher, Becousined.app, CharacterRecord, AccessibilityUnit, HardDriveThread – are just some of our newest articles on adware.
How did EnhancementSkills install on my computer?
Adware can have "official" promotional webpages, and it is endorsed on scam sites. Users primarily access such pages via redirects generated by intrusive ads, websites utilizing rogue advertising networks, spam browser notifications, and installed adware (with the ability to force-open webpages).
Furthermore, advertising-supported software can be bundled with regular programs. Download from dubious channels (e.g., freeware and free file-hosting sites, P2P sharing networks, etc.) and rushed installations (e.g., ignored terms, skipped sections, used "Easy/Express" settings, etc.) – pose a threat of bundled content infiltrating the system.
Intrusive advertisements also proliferate adware. Some of these adverts can execute scripts to perform sneaky downloads/installations upon being clicked.
How to avoid installation of adware?
We highly recommend researching software before downloading or purchasing it. All downloads must be performed from official and trustworthy sources. Installation processes have to be treated with care, e.g., by reading terms, exploring available options, using the "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opting out of supplementary apps, extensions, features, tools, etc.
We also advise vigilance when browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears legitimate and innocuous. For example, intrusive adverts may look harmless – however, they redirect to questionable websites (e.g., scam-promoting, pornography, gambling, adult dating, etc.).
In case of continuous encounters with advertisements and/or redirects of this kind, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with EnhancementSkills, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Pop-up window displayed once EnhancementSkills adware's installation is over:
EnhancementSkills 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 EnhancementSkills?
- STEP 1. Remove EnhancementSkills related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove EnhancementSkills ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove EnhancementSkills adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove EnhancementSkills ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove EnhancementSkills adware using Combo Cleaner:
EnhancementSkills adware removal:
Remove EnhancementSkills-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-displayed advertisements can promote content capable of causing severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). The presence of this software can diminish the browsing experience and system performance. Due to adware usually possessing data-tracking functionalities – it is considered a threat to user privacy.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It operates by delivering intrusive advert campaigns. This software typically displays ads on visited websites or other interfaces; some types can also force-open websites and collect sensitive data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue predominantly via affiliate programs by promoting various sites, software, products, services, and other content.
Will Combo Cleaner remove EnhancementSkills adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate detected adware-type apps. It is pertinent to mention that manual removal (performed without security software) might not be an ideal solution. In some cases, various file leftovers remain hidden within the system after the adware has been manually removed. What is more, these remnants may continue running and causing issues. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.
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