Remove AdjustableSkill Adware From Mac OS

Complete Guideline To Delete AdjustableSkill

AdjustableSkill is a free extension for internet browsers that claims to provide the most relevant, fast and authentic search results and enhance web browsing experience of Mac users. However, it’s yet another potentially unwanted application that alters search results and makes users visit sponsored websites. Once this nasty adware successfully gets installed on your Mac PC, it causes several unexpected changes in default browser’s settings and sets z6airr.com as the new home page, search engine and new tab URL without asking for users’ consent. It aims to promote third-party products, services and websites and make quick revenues for the developers.

Depth Analysis of AdjustableSkill:

AdjustableSkill forces people to use z6airr.com as default search engine. As soon as you open your internet browser, you can see the default search tool is modified and all the searches are redirected to Yahoo. Such types of PUPs are known to be recording users’ web browsing actions and using that data for marketing purposes. It is not as dangerous as other malware threats like ransomware or trojan. However, it does not mean that you should take it lightly, especially if you care about your search engine, search results and your privacy.

AdjustableSkill can perform a variety of malicious tasks, some of which might not be that apparent to the affected people. For instance, many PUAs are designed in a way that would use a reliable search provider for the delivery of search results. However, instead of displaying genuine links, you will be presented with affiliated and sponsored materials. When you click on ads delivered by this adware, you are taken to sponsored web portals for which, developers of the infection earn revenues.

Visiting on infectious websites may lead to the installations of additional PUPs, purchases of useless services and products. People might also be linked to multiple survey scams or suspicious sites that advertise worthless apps. And hence, users who are infected with such unwanted apps are more prone to falling into fraudulent update prompts, online scams, sensitive information loss, malware infections and much more. With the help of cookies and other technologies, this precarious adware tracks users’ data in order to service customized advertisements. By performing AdjustableSkill removal you can terminate such threats once and for all.

Threat Details

Name: AdjustableSkill

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Symptoms: Endless intrusive ads, Modifications in default browser’s settings, default Internet search engine, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft, new tab settings. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Short Description: Redirects people to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators, Also steals users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

Infiltration of AdjustableSkill In Mac System:

Potentially undesired applications are typically useless to users, as they often fail to provide what they promise. In other cases, the functionality of the app is very basic and performs the same functions as those that are built-in browsers or operating systems already. Besides, PUPs are also often linked to privacy and computer security issues. Thus, it is best to avoid unwanted programs completely. They are mostly spread along with freeware or shareware programs. When you install a program using “Quick” or “Recommended” mode set, you will get everything installed on your work-station that are added with the main software.

Tips To Prevent Adware Intrusion:

According to researchers, it is not difficult to prevent unwanted app installation, as long as caution is practiced. Here are a few tips that might help you:

• Always research software you are about to install, look for forum or blog posts, reviews, and other articles that would provide sufficient feedback;
• Always choose official sources and direct links for your downloads;
• Do not be misguided by Recommended/Quick setup settings and always choose Advanced/Custom ones instead. You will remain in control of the process in such a way;
• Install powerful anti-malware tool with PUP detection feature.

Remove Files and Folders Related to AdjustableSkill

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 AdjustableSkill 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 AdjustableSkill 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 AdjustableSkill. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.