Remove SoftwareHandler adware from Mac PC

Proper guide to delete SoftwareHandler frequently

SoftwareHandler is dubious Mac infection that has been categorized as adware and also possesses browser hijacker qualities. This potentially unwanted program enters into your system and infects your main browser without permission. It is able to work with Google chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera and many others. Once installed successfully, it delivers intrusive adverts campaigns and modifies browser settings in order to promote fake web search engines. However, due to its improper intrusion methods, it is considered to be potentially unwanted application. Asides this, most adware type applications have data tracking ability.

However, in most cases their main aim is to display intrusive advertisements in form of coupons, surveys, pop-ups, and other intrusive ads that cover content of websites where users visit. In one way or another, if you click on those ads you will get redirected to malicious websites or cause unwanted installation of PUAs. Further, as discussed earlier browser hijackers reassigns browsers homepage, default search engine and new tab URL to promote addresses of fake web searchers. Hence, every time users are insisted to visit hijacker’s sites when they open new browsing tab or enter any query into URL bar.

While doing so, browser hijackers restrict users to make any changes to their browsers. Therefore, only way to recovering hijacked browser is to remove SoftwareHandler as soon as possible. Further, it also has the capability to collect users browsing related activities and record personal as well as sensitive details. Later, people behind this share all those details with third parties who misuse it in order to make illegal online profit. So, to keep device integrity and user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions immediately without delay.

Intrusion techniques of SoftwareHandler:

Potentially unwanted applications are distributed into your system by using various different methods. The most common is bundling which is described as misleading marketing method of installing programs together with malicious content. Typically, information about such apps is included in setups that can be found in their settings like custom or advance and other similar. Thus, no people check all those available settings and leave them unchanged. It means that they inadvertently allow for PUAs to be downloaded and installed along with other wanted software. So, always be attentive while installing any programs.

How to avoid installation of PUAs?

All downloads should only be done by using official websites and through direct download links. Other untrustworthy channels such as unreliable pages, third party downloader, free file hosting sites and other tools should be avoided as they can offer bundled or deceptive content. While installing any programs, you must always pay close attention. Therefore, it is important to read terms, explore all possible options, use custom or advance settings and opt out for all additionally included programs. Moreover, it is not safe to click on ads that are displayed on dubious pages related to pornography, adult-dating and so on as those ads often open various questionable websites and cause unwanted installations.

Remove SoftwareHandler

Complete removal guide have been prescribed below under this post in step by step manner. Go through it so that you will not find any trouble while performing virus removal process. Besides this, you can also use reliable anti-malware removal tool that has the capability to remove SoftwareHandler completely and safely from the Mac computer.

Threat summary

Name: SoftwareHandler

Threat Type: Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus

Short Description: Infect your browser, show unwanted pop-up ads, and redirect your browser on potentially harmful and phishing websites.

Symptoms: Lots of third party ads flowing around, forced browser redirection on low quality websites, new page ads and Your Mac becomes slower than as usual.

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, decreased computer performance.  

Removal: Use Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to remove SoftwareHandler automatically from the computer.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SoftwareHandler

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove SoftwareHandler from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete SoftwareHandler add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to SoftwareHandler. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.