How to remove SkillExplorer Ads from Mac

Complete guide to delete SkillExplorer Ads

SkillExplorer is a rogue application that infiltrates Mac computer without users’ consent. Following to successful installation, it serves various intrusive ads and alters browsers’ settings to promote an address of a fake search engine. In other word, it functions as adware as well as browser hijacker application. Like these applications, it can collect the users’ browsing based information as well. These applications are also called potentially unwanted applications because of deceptive techniques they use to spread on targeted computers.

Adware enables the placement of banners, pop-ups, surveys and other intrusive ads on any sites that the users visit. The SkillExplorer Ads severally diminish the browsing experience as they overlay the page content and slow down the browsing speed. In addition, they have the redirecting potential. They may lead to various phishing/ scam pages that scammers use to download rogue applications, pay for fake services and disclose personal information.

Browser hijackers promote addresses of fake search engines simply by assigning them to the browsers’ homepage, new tab pages and default search engine options. These changes ensure the users’ redirect to the promoted address all the time when they open their browsing tab and enter any queries on the URL bar. Fake search engines are not capable of displaying their own search results. Therefore, they redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legit ones.

Furthermore, the adware and browser hijacker have the dangerous data tracking capability. SkillExplorer is not an exception to this. It can track users’ browsing session and collect the data related to their web browsing activities. The collected data include IP addresses, Search queries, Viewed pages, URLs visited, ISP, Geo-locations and etc. What’s more, these data could be shared with potent crooks who misuse them to generate illicit revenue that can cost on privacy and cause identity exposure.

How did SkillExplorer Ads install on my computer?

PUAs are often distributed via the download/ installation setups of other software. This deceptive method of packing one app with unwanted and malicious addition is termed as software bundling. When users rush the download and skip most of the installation steps, they leave those setups unchecked and unchanged and lead to the inadvertent installation of included apps altogether with the regular software. Intrusive ads can execute certain scripts to download/ install these applications. Some selected PUAs have their official download pages as well.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

It is advised you to research all software before their download/ install and update and purchase. The downloading must be done using official websites and direct links. Avoid p2p networks, free file hosting sties and third party downloaders/ installers that are often used to spread dubious and/or bundled content. During downloading/ installation moment, it is important to read terms, explorer all available options, use Custom/Advanced options and opt out all additionally attached applications, functions and tools and so on. Intrusive ads might appear ordinary, however they often redirect to highly questionable websites such as gambling, adult dating and pornography. If you encounter any such ads, immediately check the system for any unwanted apps and suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons for their removal.

Get rid of SkillExplorer Ads

Below the post, you will find complete step-by-step guide to remove SkillExplorer Ads from the system. Also, there you will find how you can easily and automatically remove the cyber infection using some professional tools.

Remove Files and Folders Related to SkillExplorer Ads

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