Ads by SkinnyPlayer
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is SkinnyPlayer?
SkinnyPlayer is presented as a lightweight media player that supports various video and audio formats - "SkinnyPlayer was designed from the ground up to incorporate the main features of modern players, while maintaining the low size of the player."
Although SkinnyPlayer may seem legitimate and useful, be aware that this app infiltrates the system without permission, continually generates intrusive online ads, and collects information relating to Internet browsing activity. For these reasons, it is categorized as a potentially unwanted adware-type program (PUP).
SkinnyPlayer employs a 'virtual layer' to generate banner, pop-up, and other intrusive ads. The virtual layer enables placement of third party graphical content on any site, and for this reason, none of the ads originate from your visited websites.
Third party advertisements generated by adware-type programs often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing users' overall Internet browsing experience. Furthermore, some redirect to malicious websites, and thus, clicking them might cause high-risk adware or malware infections.
Research shows that SkinnyPlayer gathers Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (to determine geographic location), Internet service provider (ISP), operating system, websites visited, pages viewed, and so on.
This type of data may seem insignificant, however, be aware that some might contain personally identifiable details that are later shared with third party companies and misused to generate revenue. This can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you are concerned with your privacy and Internet browsing safety, eliminate this adware immediately.
This application is regular adware with similar characteristics to hundreds of other PUPs. As with SkinnyPlayer, Oasis Space, InstantSupport, and BoBrowser also claim to enhance the Internet browsing experience, however, rather than doing so, they generate intrusive online advertisements and collect personal data to generate revenue for the developers. These applications deliver no real value for users.
How did SkinnyPlayer install on my computer?
The developers distribute SkinnyPlayer using a deceptive software marketing method called 'bundling' - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular software/apps. For this reason, users often install this application inadvertently. Research shows that many users do not express enough caution when downloading and installing software.
Potentially unwanted programs are usually hidden within the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings, and by skipping this section, users inadvertently install rogue apps and expose their systems to risk of further infection.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Adware-type programs are often hidden, and therefore, you should never rush the download or installation processes. Select the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' settings and closely analyze each step. Bear in mind that most bundled apps are bogus and, thus, you should never accept offers to download or install them.
SkinnyPlayer adware installer set-up:
Screenshot of SkinnyPlayer application:
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:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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. 7 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 SkinnyPlayer?
- STEP 1. Uninstall SkinnyPlayer application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove SkinnyPlayer adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove SkinnyPlayer ads from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove 'Ads by SkinnyPlayer' from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove SkinnyPlayer ads from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
SkinnyPlayer 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 "SkinnyPlayer version 0.9b", select this entry and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program that causes SkinnyPlayer ads, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove SkinnyPlayer adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, SkinnyPlayer 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 skinnyplayer 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the skinnyplayer 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 plug-ins 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 all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with skinnyplayer 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 skinnyplayer 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.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on skinnyplayer adware or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
▼ Show Discussion