How to uninstall SearchSkilledData from your computer
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SearchSkilledData?
SearchSkilledData belongs to a family of adware-type applications called AdLoad. Therefore, this application is designed to display various advertisements. Research shows that SearchSkilledData promotes a fake search engine and might gather various information.
This app operates as adware and a browser hijacker. Typically, people do not download or install apps of this type intentionally and, therefore, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). SearchSkilledData is also installed instead of Adobe Flash Player through its fake installer.
More about SearchSkilledData
After installation, applications such as SearchSkilledData begin to display various intrusive advertisements. For example, coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, and other forms of ads. These can open dubious web pages and/or download and install unwanted, potentially malicious software by running certain scripts.
Furthermore, SearchSkilledData promotes the address of a fake search engine by modifying certain browser settings. Typically, apps that hijack browsers in this way change settings such as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.
They do not users allow to revert the settings as long as they are installed. SearchSkilledData might also collect various data and targeting IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited/opened pages, geolocations, etc. Adware can also record confidential, sensitive information.
Adware developers can generate revenue by selling the data to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it in other ways. Note that Fake Adobe Flash Player installers can be used to distribute PUAs such as SearchSkilledData and also malware such as ransomware, Trojans, and other malicious software.
| Name | Ads by SearchSkilledData |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.k), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Similar applications
More examples of adware-type apps are ExclusiveAction, LeadingModuleSearch and AproditeSearch. These applications feed users with advertisements and/or track information.
In any case, most adware-type applications do not improve the browsing experience, deliver any features or other value, and can be the reason behind identity theft, problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety, etc. Therefore, if SearchSkilledData is installed on the browser or operating system, remove it immediately. This applies to any installed adware.
How did SearchSkilledData install on my computer?
Potentially unwanted applications (adware, browser hijackers, etc.) are distributed through the download/installation set-ups of other programs. This distribution method is called "bundling". Developers who use this method include PUAs into various set-ups as "additional offers" and hope that people will fail to decline them.
Typically, information about included PUAs is provided in settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar sections, however, many users download and install programs without checking and changing these settings. Leaving the default settings unchanged agree with offers to download and install additionally-included software.
Rogue download and installation of PUAs can also be caused by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.
How to avoid installation of unwanted applications
Programs and files should not be downloaded from unofficial websites, through Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule, and so on), via third party downloaders, installed through third party installers, etc. The only safe and proper way to download software is using official websites.
Furthermore, download and installation set-ups often contain settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", etc. Generally, these settings include offers to download and/or install additional, unwanted software. Therefore, check the settings and decline offers to download or install any unwanted applications.
Furthermore, do not click intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious web pages - they can lead to other dubious websites or cause unwanted downloads and installations.
Typically, unwanted ads and redirects can be stopped from appearing/occurring by removing all unwanted extensions, plug-ins and add-ons from the browser, and programs of this kind from the operating system. If your computer is already infected with SearchSkilledData, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Files related to SearchSkilledData adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchSkilledData/SearchSkilledData
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SearchSkilledDataDaemon/SearchSkilledData
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SearchSkilledData.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SearchSkilledDataDaemon.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the SearchSkilledData website are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".
2) Select the "SearchSkilledData" profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware.
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 SearchSkilledData?
- STEP 1. Remove SearchSkilledData related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SearchSkilledData ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SearchSkilledData adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SearchSkilledData ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
SearchSkilledData adware removal:
Remove SearchSkilledData-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 detrimentally impact users by degrading computer performance, diminishing browsing experiences with intrusive ads, compromising privacy through unauthorized data collection, and introducing security risks.
What does adware do?
As a rule, adware displays unwanted advertisements. Additionally, it can operate as a browser hijacker. Moreover, adware is often designed to gather data.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware developers commonly earn income by endorsing diverse products, pages, services, etc., with the majority of their revenue stemming from participation in affiliate programs.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SearchSkilledData adware?
Combo Cleaner efficiently scans computers and eliminates adware-type applications. Attempting manual removal without security programs may prove ineffective, as residual files can persistently hide even after deleting the adware, potentially leading to persistent issues. Comprehensive removal is crucial for a thorough cleanup.
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