How to remove the SkilledPanelSearch application
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SkilledPanelSearch?
SkilledPanelSearch generates advertisements and alters the settings of browsers to promote a fake search engine. For this reason, SkilledPanelSearch is classified as not only an adware-type app, but also as a browser hijacker.
These apps often gather information relating to internet browsing activity, or even more personal information.
Typically, users install apps like SkilledPanelSearch onto their browsers or computers unintentionally. Therefore, SkilledPanelSearch and other apps of this type are also classified as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).
This app is distributed through a deceptive installer, which appears similar to the installer for Adobe Flash Player.
SkilledPanelSearch adware overview
SkilledPanelSearch and similar apps display ads on visited websites. Clicking these ads can open dubious websites or allow them to run certain scripts that download and even install unwanted software. Usually, adware-type apps display banners, coupons, pop-ups, surveys, and other similar advertisements.
Additionally, SkilledPanelSearch hijacks browsers by changing the default search engine, homepage, and new tab to a fake search engine. Therefore, users of SkilledPanelSearch app are forced to visit a specific address when they open the hijacked browser, enter search queries into the URL bar, or open a new tab. Most browser hijackers prevent subsequent modification of settings while they are installed on browsers and/or operating systems.
SkilledPanelSearch collects browsing-related data including, for example, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, geolocations, Internet Protocol addresses, and other details of this kind.
Furthermore, it is possible that SkilledPanelSearch will collect private, sensitive data. For example, credit card details, saved passwords, and other personal information. This information could be misused to steal identities and online accounts, make fraudulent purchases and transactions, and for other purposes.
Therefore, remove SkilledPanelSearch from browsers and operating systems.
| Name | Ads by SkilledPanelSearch |
| Threat Type | Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Detection Names | Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), Full List (VirusTotal) |
| 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. |
Adware in general
To summarize, adware-type applications have one main purpose: to generate revenue for the developers. They do this by generating online advertisements, however, it is common that apps of this type promote specific addresses by changing the browser's settings and collect various user-system information as well.
Programs such as SkilledPanelSearch are useless to regular users and can cause issues with online privacy, browsing safety, and other problems.
More adware examples are AdvancedSprint, ValidMemory, and RecordMapper.
How did SkilledPanelSearch install on my computer?
SkilledPanelSearch is distributed through a fake Adobe Flash Player installer, which is available for download on dubious websites. Note that deceptive installers can also deliver malware (e.g., Trojans, ransomware).
PUAs are distributed via 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 and settings, etc.) increases the risk of inadvertently allowing bundled content into the system.
Some PUAs have "official" download sites. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Once clicked, they can execute scripts to download/install PUAs without users' consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software.
Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations.
Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system.
Files related to SkilledPanelSearch adware that need to be removed:
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SkilledPanelSearch/SkilledPanelSearch
- ~/Library/Application Support/com.SkilledPanelSearchDaemon/SkilledPanelSearch
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SkilledPanelSearch.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SkilledPanelSearch.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote the SkilledPanelSearch adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:
1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles"
2) Select the "SkilledPanelSearch" profile and delete it.
3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.
After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware/browser hijacker.
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 SkilledPanelSearch?
- STEP 1. Remove SkilledPanelSearch related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove SkilledPanelSearch ads from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove SkilledPanelSearch adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove SkilledPanelSearch ads from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove SkilledPanelSearch adware using Combo Cleaner:
SkilledPanelSearch adware removal:
Remove SkilledPanelSearch-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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What harm can adware cause?
The presence of adware on a device can decrease browsing quality and system performance. Adware-delivered ads promote content that can cause severe issues (e.g., system infections, financial losses, etc.). Additionally, this software tends to possess data-tracking abilities – hence, it is classed as a privacy threat.
What does adware do?
Adware stands for advertising-supported software. Its primary functions can include displaying ads on visited sites or other interfaces, generating redirects, and collecting private information.
How do adware developers generate revenue?
Adware generates revenue mainly through affiliate programs by endorsing content. The developers may earn commissions from ad clicks, website visits, file downloads, product purchases, service subscriptions, or similar.
Will Combo Cleaner remove SkilledPanelSearch adware?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can scan devices and eliminate all adware-type apps that are installed. Note that manual removal (performed without security tools) might not be ideal. In some cases, after the adware has been manually removed – various remnants (files) stay hidden within the systems. These components might continue to run and cause issues. Therefore, it is paramount to eliminate advertising-supported software thoroughly.
Outstanding!
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