Ads by SkyWidget

What is SkyWidget?

SkyWidget is a deceptive browser plug-in categorized as adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP). The developers of this rogue application employ a software marketing method called 'bundling' (stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen software) to install SkyWidget on Internet browsers without users' permission.

Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox, SkyWidget generates intrusive online ads and tracks users' Internet browsing activity.

Advertisements generated by this rogue application include (but are not limited to) banner, pop-up, and in-text ads. Clicking advertisements generated by this rogue application is likely to cause high-risk adware or malware infections.

Furthermore, Sky Widget continually monitors users' Internet browsing activity by collecting various software and hardware information that may be personally identifiable. For example: IP addresses (to determine users' geo-locations), URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.), and other details.

This behavior may result in serious privacy issues or identity theft. There are many applications similar to Sky Widget. ZoomIt, SmartOfferDisplay, and Cheapster are just some examples among many others.

Neither SkyWidget, nor any of these other applications, provide any significant value for the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of intrusive online advertisements and sharing collected information with third parties. Therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall this PUP from your Internet browsers.

Research shows that most adware is distributed via small programs called 'download clients' on freeware download websites such as softonic.com, soft32.com, download.com and many others.

Download clients are used by these websites as free services and traffic monetization tools, since they offer installation of advertised (according to the developers, '100% legitimate and virus-free') browser add-ons together with the chosen free software.

Thus, reckless download and installation of freeware often results in adware or malware infections. This situation can be avoided by closely observing each step of the free software download procedure and clicking 'Decline' if installation of any additional programs is offered.

Furthermore, all software downloaded from the Internet should be installed using the 'Advanced' or 'Custom' options, rather than 'Quick' or 'Regular' - this will reveal any hidden applications listed for installation and allow you to opt-out.

If you have installed SkyWidget, and you observe 'Ads by SkyWidget' while surfing the Internet, follow the instructions below to eliminate this PUP from your Internet browsers.

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Quick menu:

• What is SkyWidget?
• STEP 1. Uninstall SkyWidget application using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove SkyWidget adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove SkyWidget ads from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by SkyWidget' from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove SkyWidget extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

SkyWidget adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for "SKY Widget", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes SkyWidget ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove SkyWidget adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for "skywidget", select this entry and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the sky widget adware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate: "Sky Widget", select this entry and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the sky widget adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove "Sky Widget".

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with sky widget adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the sky widget adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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