How to remove SkillApplication from Mac

Delete SkillApplication from system

SkillApplication serves various intrusive ads, alters web browsers settings, causes redirects and possibly collects browsing based data. Therefore, it is said to be an adware as well as browser hijacker application. Most often, people download such browser based threats unknowingly and for this reason SkillApplication is considered as a potentially unwanted application, as well.

Some examples of ads displayed by SkillApplication include pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons and in-text advertisements. It is common that such ads promote some shady websites or even cause unwanted downloads by running certain scripts. Additionally, they limit the browsing speed and websites’ visibility, since they are overlay with third party graphical content.

As said earlier, SkillApplication also poses browser hijacker characteristic. It changes the browsers’ settings such as the addresses of the browsers’ search engine, homepage and new tab page sections to an address of a fake search engine. Fake web searchers are not capable of displaying their own search results. Therefore, they tend to redirect the session to some legit web searchers.

Another issue with SkillApplication application intrusion is that this app tends to be designed to track users’ browsing session and collect the data related to their web browsing activities. The list of the collected data includes IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations, Type of OS and browser used and etc. These data could be shared with potent crooks who misuse them to generate illicit revenue that cost on privacy and cause identity exposure.

How does SkillApplication infiltrate my system?

It is known that this cyber infection is distributed via using a fake Adobe Flash Player installer. Such installers can be used to download Trojan and Ransomware type infection as well. Also, it is common that PUAs are distributed using the deceptive bundling method. In this method, stealth installation of unwanted applications takes place with some regular software.

What the developers do is hide some bundled apps behind Custom/Advanced section. Users automatically agree to the download/ installation of such software they install the software without choosing the said settings or when they un-tick certain checkboxes available in these setups. in some cases, PUAs can be downloaded when users click on certain advertisements that are designed to run certain scripts.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

It is advised to use only official websites and direct links for any software download. Other sources, tools like torrents, eMule, third party downloaders, unofficial pages and etc should not be used for that. Third party installers should also be avoided too. Also, it is necessary to pay enough attention during the download/ installation moment. At least, choose Custom/Advanced option and check for additional offers to download apps, functions, tools and so on.

Ads appear on some questionable pages often redirect to the pages of same kind. Sometimes, they might run certain scripts to cause stealthy download. You require not clicking such ads. If encounter, immediately check the systems for unwanted applications and suspicious extensions, plug-ins, add-ons and extensions for their removal. If your system has already some PUAs installed on the system, use some professional tool and perform their removal without delay.

Get rid of SkillApplication

Below the post, you will find easy and stepwise guide to remove SkillApplication from the system. There, you will also find the way to get rid of the infection instantly and effectively.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SkillApplication

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