How to remove SkillManager adware and the ads it displays?

What is SkillManager?

SkillManager is an adware-type app with browser hijacker qualities. Due to the questionable methods used to proliferate SkillManager, it is also classified as a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).

SkillManager adware overview

Adware enables the placement of third-party graphical content (e.g., pop-ups, coupons, surveys, etc.) on visited websites and/or other interfaces. The delivered advertisements endorse sale-based, unreliable, misleading, deceptive/scam, and even malicious sites. Some intrusive ads are capable of stealthily downloading/installing software (e.g., PUAs) - once clicked.

Browser hijackers assign fake search engine addresses as browsers' default, and their new tab/window and homepage URLs. Hence, new browser tabs/windows opened and web searches performed via the URL bar - redirect to the promoted address.

Fraudulent search engines usually redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo, and other legitimate ones - due to being incapable of generating search results. This software can also reset user-made changes or deny access to the browser settings.

Furthermore, most adware and browser hijackers can track data. Information of interest includes - data related to browsing activity, personally identifiable details, log-in credentials, credit card numbers, etc. This sensitive information is then shared with and/or sold to third-parties.

To summarize, the presence of unwanted applications on devices can result in system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by SkillManager
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.j), 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. ▼ 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.

Adware in general

AlgorithmTelecommunication, SimpleAccount, ActiveOptimization, and AssistiveConsole are some examples of adware-type apps. They look harmless and offer "advantageous" features, which usually do not work. This is true of nearly all PUAs. The sole purpose of unwanted software is to generate revenue at user expense; hence, they endanger device and user safety.

How did SkillManager install on my computer?

PUAs are spread via download/installation setups of other programs. This marketing tactic - packing ordinary software with unwanted/malicious additions - is called "bundling". Intrusive adverts proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the advertisements can download/install these applications without user consent. PUAs may also have "official" promotional/download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is recommended to research software and download from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) sharing networks, etc. - commonly offer bundled content.

When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, study available options, and use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out of all supplements. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate yet redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., adult-dating, gambling, pornography, etc.).

If ads and/or redirects of this kind are encountered, the device must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed. If your computer is already infected with SkillManager, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once SkillManager adware's installation is over:

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

Video showing how to remove SkillManager adware using Combo Cleaner:

SkillManager adware removal:

Remove SkillManager-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?

Adware can diminish browsing quality and system performance. This software is also a privacy threat, as it typically has data tracking abilities. What is more, adware-displayed advertisements can be dangerous and cause serious problems.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported software (or adware) is designed to display ads on visited websites and/or other interfaces.

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Adware generates revenue primarily through affiliate programs by endorsing various websites, apps, products, and so forth. The developers of this software can get commission from ad clicks, site visits, product purchases, or similar.

Will Combo Cleaner remove SkillManager adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning devices and eliminating all adware-type apps installed. However, manual removal is not always effective due to lacking thoroughness. In some cases, even after the software itself is (manually) removed - its remnants (files) remain within the system. Furthermore, such components can continue running and causing issues.

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