How to uninstall ExpandedSkill adware from the operating system

What is ExpandedSkill?

ExpandedSkill is rogue software. This application is classified as adware, which also possesses browser hijacker characteristics. Following successful infiltration, ExpandedSkill runs intrusive advertisement campaigns, makes alterations to browser settings and promotes fake search engines.

Additionally, most adware and browser hijackers have data tracking capabilities, which are employed to monitor users' browsing activity. Due to the dubious methods employed to proliferate, ExpandedSkill, it is also classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive ads. These significantly diminish the browsing experience, as the ads overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. As well as being a nuisance, intrusive advertisements are also harmful.

When clicked, they can redirect to various untrusted/malicious websites 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 fake search engines.

To elaborate on how this affects browsing, each new browser tab/window opened and web search made via the URL bar redirects to the promoted address. Rogue search engines are typically unable to provide unique results, and so they redirect to Yahoo, Bing, Google and other genuine sites.

Browser hijackers can restrict/deny access to the browser settings and/or reset any permitted changes made. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.

Furthermore, most PUAs can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and extract personal information from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details). The gathered data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

In summary, the presence of unwanted software on devices can result in system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft. To ensure device and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be removed immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by ExpandedSkill
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:AdAgent-L [Adw]), Sophos ML (AdLoad (PUA)), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.C), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), Full List (VirusTotal).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the 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.

CoordinatorBoost, ExtendedLibrary, ExtendedProcesser and DynamicImprovment are some examples of other aware-type applications. They may seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" features, but despite how good the features promised may sound, they are rarely operational. In fact, this applies to most PUAs.

The only purpose of these unwanted apps is to generate revenue for the developers. PUAs run intrusive ad campaigns, cause redirects, hijack browsers and track sensitive data.

How did ExpandedSkill install on my computer?

PUAs are proliferated via the download/installation set-ups of other products. This deceptive marketing tactic of packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

Rushing download/installation processes (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps, using pre-set options, etc.) increases the risk of unintentionally allowing dangerous and/or bundled content into the system. Intrusive advertisements can infiltrate PUAs into devices as well.

Once clicked, they can execute scripts to make stealthy downloads/installations. Certain PUAs also have "official" download websites.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all products before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads must be done from official and verified sources. Unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders are untrusted, as they can offer bundled content.

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

If you encounter these ads or redirects, inspect the system and remove all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins without delay. If your computer is already infected with ExpandedSkill, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once ExpandedSkill adware installation is complete:

ExpandedSkill adware installed on the Safari browser:

ExpandedSkill adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove ExpandedSkill adware using Combo Cleaner:

ExpandedSkill adware removal:

Remove ExpandedSkill-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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