How to uninstall SkilledObject adware
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SkilledObject?
Typically, apps that are classified as adware serve advertisements, however, this particular app promotes a fake search engine by making certain changes to browser settings. It might also collect data. In this way, SkilledObject functions both as adware and as a browser hijacker.
SkilledObject is distributed via a fake installer designed to appear like an installer for Adobe Flash Player. Typically, users do not download or install these apps intentionally and, for this reason, they are classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
Examples of types of ads that apps such as SkilledObject serve are pop-up ads, banners, coupons, and surveys. Commonly, these conceal underlying content of visited sites and promote bogus or even malicious pages. In some cases, they cause download/installation of unwanted apps by executing certain scripts. Therefore, ads that SkilledObject generates should not be clicked.
Furthermore, SkilledObject promotes a fake search engine - it changes the homepage, new tab and default search engine to the address of its associated fake search engine. Note that users cannot undo the changes made by browser hijackers unless they uninstall them from browsers/computers.
Additionally, SkilledObject is likely to collect IP addresses, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, geolocations, plus other data and even more sensitive details. Developers misuse the information to generate revenue. For example, by selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).
Users with these apps installed on their browsers/computers might become victims of identity theft and encounter problems relating to browsing safety, online privacy, and other issues.
| Name | Ads by SkilledObject |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACF), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.m), 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. |
More examples of apps similar to SkilledObject are InitialSkill, GuideRecord and CleanParameter. Commonly, advertisement-supported apps are promoted as legitimate and useful, however, most are useless to regular users and designed only to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, these apps should never be downloaded or installed.
How did SkilledObject install on my computer?
As mentioned, this particular app is distributed via a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. These installers can be used to distribute PUAs and also malicious programs such as Trojans, ransomware-type programs, etc.
Sometimes, users inadvertently download and install unwanted apps via deceptive advertisements - they click ads that cause unwanted download/installations by executing certain scripts.
Unwanted downloads and installations also occur during download/installation of other programs. I.e., when PUAs are included into the set-ups as 'extra offers'. This PUA distribution method of PUAs is called "bundling".
Typically, offers to download and install these additional apps can be declined via "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings, or by unticking certain checkboxes within the set-ups. When users download and install programs without making these checks and changes, they often allow PUAs to infiltrate.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software. Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps.
Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations. Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system.
If your computer is already infected with SkilledObject, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.
Screenshot of the fake installer that is used to distribute SkilledObject (first installation step):
Screenshot of the fake installer that is used to distribute SkilledObject (second installation step):
Files related to SkilledObject adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.SkilledObject.service.app
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SkilledObject.service.plist
- /Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.SkilledObject.system
- /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SkilledObject.system.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! In some cases malicious applications like TrustedAnalog alter system proxy settings, thereby causing unwanted redirects to a variety of dubious websites.
The redirects are likely to remain even after removing the application itself. Thus, you must restore them manually.
Step 1: Click on the gear icon in the Dock to navigate to the system settings. If the icon is not present in the Dock, you can find it in the Launchpad.
Step 2: Navigate to the Network settings.
Step 3: Select the connected network and click "Advanced...".
Step 4: Click on the "Proxies" tab and untick all protocols. You should also assign the settings of each protocol to default: "*.local, 169.254/16".
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 SkilledObject?
- STEP 1. Remove SkilledObject related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SkilledObject ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SkilledObject adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SkilledObject ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SkilledObject adware using Combo Cleaner:
SkilledObject adware removal:
Remove SkilledObject-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 ads by skilledobject 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 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 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 in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "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.
Ads by SkilledObject removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove ads by skilledobject related Safari extensions:
Open 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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove ads by skilledobject related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove ads by skilledobject related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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