How to uninstall Ski Search adware from your operating system?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is Ski Search?
Developed by SuperWeb LLC, Ski Search is a piece of rogue software, supposedly capable of enhancing the Internet browsing experience by enabling coupons, comparison shopping, and other features. Ski Search may seem to be a useful and legitimate tool, however, it is categorized as adware.
Following successful infiltration, it operates by running intrusive advertisement campaigns. Additionally, most adware-types spy on users' browsing activity and it is highly likely that Ski Search does so as well. Due to the dubious techniques used to distribute this app, it is considered to be a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application).
Following successful infiltration on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or other browsers - Ski Search generates intrusive advertisements such as banners, pop-ups, surveys, full-page, etc. These adverts diminish the browsing experience, due to limiting the browsing speed and overlaying webpage content.
Clicking on intrusive ads can expose the system to infection. Since they redirect to various untrustworthy/rogue, compromised, deceptive/scam and malicious websites. Some of these ads can even execute scripts to download/install software (e.g. PUAs) without user permission.
Aside from running intrusive ad campaigns, unwanted applications can force-open harmful sites, hijack browsers by modifying their settings in order to promote fake search engines, and so on. Most PUAs have data tracking abilities. They can monitor Internet browsing activity and/or record software/hardware information.
For example, IP addresses (to determine users' geographic locations), unique identifier numbers, search queries, URLs visited, pages viewed, and other details that may be personally identifiable. Information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.
The only purpose of Ski Search is to generate revenue by displaying advertisements and sharing collected data with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). It is strongly advised to remove all suspect applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Ads by Ski Search |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Developer | SuperWeb LLC |
| Supposed Functionality | Coupon delivery, comparison shopping and other features. |
| Detection Names | Avast (MSIL:BrowseFox-II [Adw]), BitDefender (Trojan.GenericKD.42299956), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of MSIL/Adware.BrowseFox.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.MSIL.Tpyn.gen), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution Methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Access+, Best Media Converter and LiveStreamNewsToday Promos are a few examples of other adwares. This software usually appears ordinary and harmless. Users are enticed into download/installation with a wide variety of "useful" features. However, the promised functionalities are seldom operational.
In fact, this applies to practically all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted apps is to generate profit at user expense. Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs run intrusive advert campaigns, cause redirects to untrustworthy and malicious websites, hijack browsers and gather private data.
How did Ski Search install on my computer?
PUA developers employ a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of additional programs together with the chosen product. To elaborate, bundled content is commonly distributed via installation setups (also known as "installers", "download managers", "download clients", etc.), which are typically downloaded from unreliable sources.
Hence, by rushing though download/installation processes (e.g. by ignoring terms, skipping steps and section, etc.) - users increase the risk of unintentionally allowing unwanted software into the system.
Some PUAs have "official" promotional webpages, from which they can be downloaded. Intrusive advertisements proliferate these applications as well. Upon being clicked, they can execute scripts designed to download/install PUAs without user consent.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is recommended to always research software, before download/installation and/or purchase. Only official and verified download channels should be used. Unofficial and free file-hosting (freeware) sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders - are deemed to be untrustworthy, due to often offering deceptive and/or bundled content.
When downloading/installing, it is important to inspect each step/section of the process and ensure that no additions are included. Furthermore, it is crucial to select "Advanced" or "Custom" download/installation settings, rather than "Quick" or "Typical" - as this will reveal any additionally-included content and the opt-out options.
Intrusive adverts appear legitimate, however they redirect to various questionable pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, etc.).
In case of encounters with such ads/redirects, the system must be inspected and all suspicious applications and/or browser extensions/plug-ins immediately removed. If your computer is already infected with Ski Search, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this adware.
Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is Ski Search?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Ski Search application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Ski Search adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove Ski Search ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by Ski Search' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove Ski Search extension from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Ski Search 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 "Ski Search", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted application (which causes Ski Search ads), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove Ski Search adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, Ski Search did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your 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 any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by ski search, 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 "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the ads by ski search, 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 on "Extensions", in the opened window remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with ads by ski search 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 ads by ski search, 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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