How to uninstall SkilledOrigin adware

What is SkilledOrigin?

SkilledOrigin is a potentially unwanted application (PUA), which serves advertisements and collects sensitive information. SkilledOrigin is categorized as a PUA, since users often download and install this type of adware inadvertently. Note that this app might also be designed to promote a fake search engine address by changing certain browser settings.

Adware-type applications such as SkilledOrigin feed users with surveys, banners, coupons, pop-ups and other types of advertisements. Commonly, the ads conceal underlying content of visited pages and often promote (open) dubious websites. In some cases, the ads cause download/installation of PUAs by running certain scripts.

SkilledOrigin can also read sensitive information from browsers, such as telephone numbers, credit card details, and passwords. Collected information might be sold to third parties, used to steal personal accounts/identities and make fraudulent purchases/transactions, and used for other malicious purposes.

SkilledOrigin is likely to serve ads, gather data, and  promote a fake search engine (functioning as a browser hijacker). Typically, PUAs promote fake search engines by changing browser settings such as the address of the homepage, new tab, and default search engine.

They prevent users from modifying these settings as long as they are installed. Therefore, SkilledOrigin should never be downloaded or installed. If any PUAs are already installed on the browser and/or operating system, uninstall them immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SkilledOrigin
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), AVG (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.i), Full List (VirusTotal).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the 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), 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. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac 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.

Commonly, apps such as SkilledOrigin are advertised as legitimate, and potential users are offered various features, an improved browsing experience, etc. In fact, these PUAs are designed only to help the developers to generate revenue by serving ads, collecting information and promoting dubious websites.

Furthermore, users of this particular app might become victims of identity theft, suffer monetary loss, and experience problems relating to online privacy/browsing safety and other issues. More examples of PUAs similar to SkilledOrigin are ExtendedWindow, PracticalProcesser and ExpandedProgram.

How did SkilledOrigin install on my computer?

Users often download and install potentially unwanted applications with other programs. I.e., when PUAs are included into set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. Many users fail to decline these offers, which are often listed in "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings.

This distribution method of unwanted apps is known as "bundling". Sometimes unwanted downloads and installations happen when users click deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to download programs and files only from official websites, and via direct links. Other sources/channels are used to distribute unwanted, even malicious programs. Some examples are third party downloaders and installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), dubious, and unofficial websites.

Check all "Custom" and "Advanced" settings, and decline offers to download or install PUAs. Do not click advertisements that appear on dubious websites (e.g., on those relating to pornography, adult dating, gambling), since they can open various untrusted sites and cause download/installation of unwanted apps.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious apps (extensions, plug-ins, add-ons) that are installed on the browser. The same should applied to software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with SkilledOrigin, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SkilledOrigin installation is complete:

SkilledOrigin installed on Safari:

SkilledOrigin 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 SkilledOrigin?
• STEP 1. Remove SkilledOrigin related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove SkilledOrigin ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove SkilledOrigin adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove SkilledOrigin ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove SkilledOrigin adware using Combo Cleaner:

SkilledOrigin adware removal:

Remove SkilledOrigin-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.

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