How to uninstall unwanted apps that open skyprize web pages

What is skyprize?

Skyprize is a family of deceptive, potentially malicious websites. For example, web pages designed to trick visitors into downloading and installing potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) such as browser hijackers, adware-type apps, or even malicious software including ransomware and Trojans.

Families such as skyprize often include pages designed to deceive visitors into providing private, sensitive information. None of these web pages can be trusted. Browsers usually open these pages automatically due to installed PUAs.

One page that belongs to the skyprize family is very similar to "Dear Safari User, You Are Today's Lucky Visitor" and a number of other deceptive pages. These pages suggest that visitors can win (or have won) a prize and encourage them to claim it by participating in a survey.

The scammers responsible attempt to extort confidential information (such as credit card details) from people, which can then be misused to generate revenue. Visitors who trust these pages can become victims of identity theft, suffer monetary loss and other problems.

Furthermore, it is very likely that the skyprize family includes web pages designed to distribute PUAs (e.g., adware, browser hijackers) and fake Adobe Flash Player installers that install them. Adware-type apps display ads in the form of banners, coupons, pop-ups, and surveys.

These conceal underlying content of visited websites. If clicked, they usually open untrusted web pages or cause download/installation of PUAs by executing certain scripts. Browser hijackers hijack browsers by changing their settings. Typically, they set the address of a fake search engine as the address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab.

They prevent users from undoing these changes. Both adware-type apps and browser hijackers might also collect browsing data or even sensitive, personal details. Furthermore, skyprize might load pages designed to deceive people into infecting their computers with ransomware or other malicious program such as Trojans.

Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts files so that victims are unable to recover them without specific tools that can only be purchased from the cyber criminals who designed the malware. Trojans often cause chain infections by infecting an already infected computer with other malware. In summary, no skyprize websites can be trusted.

Threat Summary:

Name	skyprize pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Related Domains	skyprize2[.]live, skyprize15[.]live
Detection Names (skyprize15[.]live)	Spamhaus (Spam), Full List (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (skyprize15[.]live)	193.35.48.21
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 (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Some examples of other families similar to skyprize include yourprizeszx, prizeseeker and prizesfinder. If trusted, websites associated with these families can lead to problems. For example, unwanted downloads and installations, monetary loss, identity theft, issues relating to online privacy, browsing safety, etc.

As mentioned, untrusted web pages are often opened by browsers that have PUAs installed on them.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

In most cases, PUAs are downloaded and installed when people intentionally (or unintentionally) click deceptive advertisements or download/install programs without changing the settings available in the set-ups. Typically, developers distribute PUAs using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

Therefore, they include the apps into various download/installation set-ups and present them as "additional offers". Typically, these offers can be found in "Advanced", "Custom", and other settings of set-ups.

Unfortunately, people often leave them unchanged, thereby agreeing by default with offers to download or install unwanted applications that are included in a specific setup. Clicked ads can cause download/installation of PUAs when they execute certain scripts, however, they cannot do this without first being clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Check "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual" and other similar settings of download/installation setups and dismiss any offers to download or install unwanted software before finishing completing the process.

Do not download or install software from untrusted, unofficial websites, through torrent clients, eMule (or other Peer-to-Peer networks), third party downloaders, installers, and so on. The safest way to download software is using official websites and direct download links.

Intrusive ads should not be clicked, especially if displayed on dubious web pages - these ads can open rogue websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations. Remove any unwanted or suspicious apps (extensions, add-ons, plug-ins) already installed on the browser immediately.

The same should be applied to programs of this kind that are installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.

Appearance of skyprize page (GIF):

Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner 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. 7 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 skyprize pop-up?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

▼ Show Discussion