ServiceBuilder Adware - How to remove

ServiceBuilder is a Mac adware infection. It’s an app and a browser extension. ServiceBuilder causes browser redirects, spams advertisements on your screen, and logs your browsing history. You can remove it yourself, manually, or use an anti-malware program.

In short about ServiceBuilder:

Classification	Adware, browser hijacker.
Problems caused by ServiceBuilder	Unstable internet connection, too many ads, changed browser behavior.
How adware gets installed	Downloaded with free apps, downloaded with fake software updates.
How to remove ServiceBuilder	Remove settings that ServiceBuilder installed, uninstall the ServiceBuilder app and browser extension, check your computer for adware with anti-malware programs (Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, others).

ServiceBuilder is adware

ServiceBuilder is this app that seems to appear out of nowhere on some people’s Macs. It does not appear out of thin air – it gets downloaded with fake software updates, bundled with free apps, and included in pirated downloads. You don’t download and install it on purpose, it sneaks in without your consent.

And once it does, ServiceBuilder makes some unwanted changes:

• shows pop-ups asking for network access and takes over proxy settings,
• hijacks your traffic in such a way that causes some connectivity issues,
• replaces your search engine in an effort to monetize your browsing,
• can block some websites from opening,
• installs suspicious browser extensions and messes with the extensions and apps that you had installed previously,
• has access to all of your data on all the websites, causing some privacy issues.

ServiceBuilder runs with your browser. If you remove it, it usually comes back after a reboot. The settings that it forced on your Mac also come back with each reboot.

ServiceBuilder is the same type of malware as QuickLookSearches, BasicSearchPlatform, StudyGeneral, etc. There is a lot of macOS adware out there. They cause unwanted pop-ups, browser redirects, they inject ads into your webpages, and they track your browsing history so use it to decide which ads are most relevant to you.

A problem with adware isn’t just that they show unwanted ads. It’s that those ads are low-quality and even dangerous. They promote scams, fake giveaways meant to steal your personal information, dubious food supplements, get-rich-quick schemes, and other nonsense. If you start seeing a lot of low-quality ads in your browser, you should check your computer for adware. Sites don’t allow such ads, but adware viruses do.

How to remove ServiceBuilder

You could, in theory, never turn off your Mac, or use another browser, but there’s no need for that. Even if you’ve never removed malware manually, ServiceBuilder can be deleted with under an hour of work, if everything goes well. And if it doesn’t, you can ask here in the comments, or contact macOS support.

Use anti-malware programs (like Combo Cleaner, Malwarebytes, etc.) to scan your Mac and find all the apps that need to be removed. This is the fastest and most convenient way. But it’s not perfect. You might want to remove ServiceBuilder yourself, without installing even more apps. And also, some new infections aren’t easily recognized by anti-malware programs. It is still advisable to scan your Mac with a security program, though.

Start your Mac in safe mode (reboot and hold the Shift button down) to stop unnecessary apps from running.

Next, check your System Preferences (down in the Dock) for Profiles. If there is a Profiles section, open it and select and remove (press the minus ‘-‘ button at the bottom left) all the suspicious profiles. All the ones that have “ServiceBuilder”, “Safe Finder”, “Any Search Manager”, or something similar in their names.

Open Finder and remove the ServiceBuilder app from your Applications folder. Open your web browser that’s affected, like Safari, open the Safari menu, click on Preferences, Extensions, and remove ServiceBuilder and any other unfamiliar extensions.

If you had issues with your internet connection, check your Network settings (System Preferences -> Network -> Advanced -> Proxies) and if a SOCKS proxy is set against your wishes, then deselect it and apply.

ServiceBuilder may have left behind a few unwanted files in hidden folders. Open hidden folders by using the Go to Folder menu in Finder -> Go. Delete files with “ServiceBuilder” in their names. Check these folders: /Library/LaunchDaemons, /Library/LaunchAgents, ~/Library/LaunchAgents, ~/Library/Application Support.

Restart your Mac normally to exit safe mode.

Automatic Malware removal tools

Restore browser settings

How to remove ServiceBuilder Adware from Safari:Top

Remove malicious extensions

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences.
  
• Select Extensions and uninstall ServiceBuilder Adware and other suspicious extensions.
  
• If your homepage was changed, click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Preferences and choose General tab. Enter preferable URL to the homepage field.
  

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings(older versions) If you are still experiencing any issues related to ServiceBuilder Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on Safari menu on the top left corner of the screen. Select Reset Safari…
  
• Select which options you want to reset (usually all of them come preselected) and click on the Reset button.
  

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program.

TopHow to remove ServiceBuilder Adware from Google Chrome on Mac:

• Open Chrome browser.
• Enter in the url field “chrome://extensions” address and hit Enter.
• Find ServiceBuilder Adware on the extensions list and click on the recycle bin icon next to it.
• Click on 'Chrome' button at the top left corner. Select 'Preferences' on a drop-down menu box.
• Find 'Search' options on Settings tab. If your search engine is changed, click 'Manage Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• On the same page find 'Show home button' checkbox and change your homepage.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to ServiceBuilder Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• On the 'Preferences' menu window, scroll down to the bottom and find 'Reset settings' button. Click it.
• Confirm your selection and click 'Reset' on the following window.

If you cannot reset your browser settings and the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program. Top

How To remove ServiceBuilder Adware from Firefox on Mac OS:

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla window and select the “Add-ons” icon (Or press cmd+Shift+A on your keyboard).
• Go through Extensions list, remove everything ServiceBuilder Adware related and items you do not recognise. If you do not know the extension and it is not made by Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, Oracle or Adobe then you probably do not need it.
• Enter “about:preferences” in URL bar and hit enter.
• Open Search settings tab.
• If your search engine is changed, click 'Default Search Engines' and set your preferred search engine.
• If your homepage was changed, click on the Firefox menu in the top right corner, select Preferences-> General. Enter a preferable URL to the home page field.

(Optional) Reset your browser’s settings If you are still experiencing any issues related to ServiceBuilder Adware, reset the settings of your browser to its default settings.

• Click on the menu button on the top right corner of a Mozilla Firefox window. Click on the Help button.
• Choose Troubleshooting Information on the Help menu.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button.
• Click on the Refresh Firefox button on the confirmation box. Mozilla Firefox will close and change the settings to default.

If the problem persists, scan your system with an anti-malware program to identify malicious entries.