How to completely eliminate SampleSkilled adware?

What is SampleSkilled adware?

SampleSkilled is the name of a potentially unwanted application (PUA) that generates revenue for its developer by displaying advertisements and promoting a fake search engine. It promotes a fake search engine by making changes in the web browser's settings. Users often install PUAs (adware, browser hijackers) unknowingly.

SampleSkilled adware in detail

SampleSkilled displays ads (pop-ups, banners, surveys, coupons, or other types of ads) that can open deceptive websites asking to enter personal information, download and install other PUAs, and so on. Those websites might ask to provide credit card details, usernames, passwords, or other sensitive details.

Also, SampleSkilled makes sure that a fake search engine (its address) would be opened each time users open the affected browser (or new tab), or enter search queries into its URL bar. It does that by changing the address of a default search engine, homepage, and new tab. Fake search engines cannot be trusted.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SampleSkilled
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	N/A
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.

A fake search engine promoted by SampleSkilled could show misleading results. It could include untrustworthy websites in its results. Also, SampleSkilled might be designed to collect sensitive information. More examples of applications similar to SampleSkilled are ConsoleConnection, MemoryField, and ExecutiveProduct.

How did SampleSkilled install on my computer?

Lots of browser hijackers and adware-type applications are distributed through downloaders and installers for other programs. Users download or install PUAs together with other programs when they do not deselect them. PUAs can be deselected using "Custom", "Advanced", or other options in downloaders and installers.

Also, PUAs are distributed via deceptive advertisements and fake installers. Users cause unexpected downloads or installations by clicking ads designed to run certain scripts. Most fake installers are downloaded from shady websites that use deceptive techniques to promote them.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Third-party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks, unofficial websites, and sources should not be used to download or install apps. Files, programs should be downloaded only from official websites and through direct links. Advertisements appearing on dubious pages should not be clicked.

Downloaders and installers with "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings or checkboxes should be examined. They can be used to distribute PUAs. If your computer is already infected with SampleSkilled, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window that appears after the installation of SampleSkilled adware:

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

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

SampleSkilled adware removal:

Remove SampleSkilled-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?

SampleSkilled and other adware can be the reason behind diminished web browsing experience, decreased computer's performance, issues related to browsing safety, online privacy.

What does adware do?

Adware stands for advertising-supported software. It displays advertisements. SampleSkilled also changes web browser's settings to promote a fake search engine.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Usually, individuals behind adware (its developers) generate revenue by promoting various products, services, websites. Most of their profit comes from affiliate programs.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SampleSkilled adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and eliminate SampleSkilled or other installed adware-type applications. Manual removal might not be enough because various file leftovers may remain hiding in the operating system (some adware components might still be present and running in the system after the manual removal).

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