How to uninstall SkilledControl adware

What is SkilledControl?

SkilledControl is a rogue application categorized as adware, which also possesses browser hijacker traits. SkilledControl operates by delivering intrusive advertisement campaigns, making modifications to browser settings, and promoting fake search engines. This app promotes Safe Finder via akamaihd.net. 

Most adware-type apps and browser hijackers monitor users' browsing activity, and it is likely that SkilledControl does so as well. Due to the dubious methods used to proliferate SkilledControl, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

One of the distribution techniques observed in use for this software was through bogus Adobe Flash Player updaters and installers. Note that fake installation set-ups proliferate malware (e.g. Trojans, ransomware, etc.) and not just PUAs.

Adware typically enables the placement of intrusive advertisements (e.g. pop-ups, surveys, banners, coupons, etc.) on any visited website. This significantly diminishes the browsing experience, as the ads overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed.

Additionally, when clicked, intrusive ads can redirect to various dubious/malicious sites, and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers reassign the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs to the addresses of bogus search engines.

Therefore, each search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened redirects to the promoted address. SkilledControl promotes Safe Finder (through akamaihd.net) in this manner. Fake search engines have no genuine value to users, as they are seldom capable of providing any search results.

They tend to redirect to Google, Yahoo, Bing and other legitimate search engines. Recovering a hijacked browser without removing the software affecting it is impossible, since any changes users attempt to make are automatically reset, if access to the browser settings is permitted at all.

Most PUAs have data tracking capabilities. They can record browsing activity (browsing and search engine histories) and gather sensitive information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). Furthermore, this data usually contains personally identifiable information.

PUA developers often monetize such information by sharing/selling it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). In summary, the presence of unwanted apps on devices can lead to system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. To ensure device/user safety, remove all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SkilledControl
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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.

UpgradeCoordinator, SearchArchive and SearchStudio are some examples of other adware-type applications. They may seem normal and harmless, and users are enticed into download/installation with offers of "useful" functions, however, these features are rarely operational.

In fact, this information is true of most PUAs. The only purpose of this unwanted software is to generate profit at users' expense. Rather than delivering any real value, PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and collect personally identifiable information.

How did SkilledControl install on my computer?

PUAs are commonly downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling". Rushing downloads/installations (e.g. ignoring terms, using presets, skipping steps, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing dubious or bundled content into the system.

Some PUAs have "official" download web pages. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs, without users' consent.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software prior to download/installation. Use only official and verified download sources. Untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and/or bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is crucial to read the terms, study all available options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate, however, they often redirect to highly dubious sites (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

If you encounter these ads/redirects, inspect the system and immediately remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with SkilledControl, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Rogue Adobe Flash Player installer promoting SkilledControl adware:

Pop-up window displayed once SkilledControl installation is complete:

SkilledControl redirecting users to Safe Finder website via akamaihd.net:

SkilledControl adware installation folder:

SkilledControl installed onto the Safari browser:

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

Video showing how to remove SkilledControl adware using Combo Cleaner:

SkilledControl adware removal:

Remove SkilledControl-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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