What Is SkilledObject Mac
The SkilledObject pop-up is an adware application with Trojan capabilities that can be seen only on Macs. It aims to transfer you to different web pages that may have been created to capture your data or infect you with suspicious or malicious programs. This article includes details that will help you remove Skilled Object entirely from your Mac.
The application is detected by 24 virus engines provided by the VirusTotal scanner. Some of the detections reveal that Skilled Object also has a Trojan component, meaning that it could expose your system to further risks. Shortly said, the longer this application is running on your system, the more vulnerable it becomes to various online threats. Its complete removal is recommended.
Threat Summary
| Name | SkilledObject also known as Skilled Object, skilledobject.dp, Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACF, MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj], OSX/Dldr.Adload.enmvp, Mac/Trojan.852, MacOS:Agent-MT [Trj], Adware.MAC.AdLoad.ACF |
| Type | PUP/Rogue Application |
| Short Description | SkilledObject may show different types of ads while portraying a legitimate and useful application. |
| Symptoms | Pop-up boxes, messages, and alerts appear on your Mac machine. Your applications may freeze and you have to manually force quit them and even do a restart to get a response from your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installers, Suspicious Sites |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss SkilledObject. |
SkilledObject Mac Virus – Activity Report
SkilledObject can be distributed in various ways. It could be marketed on a website with a low-reputation as a legitimate software program that is useful, promising to enhance the performance of your Mac by introducing new improvements. Thanks to a method known as software bundling, Skilled Object could have been included in the installers of other apps that are openly downloaded from third-party sites, such as Softonic. The additional download may have been disclosed but usually users are in a hurry to install the desired program, and skip the step. These additional programs are typically advertised as “recommended downloads,” with the idea of quick monetization. We would advise you to be more vigilant while downloading free programs (freeware) from the Web.
Another way that got your Mac affected by this adware is unsafe browsing and agreeing to receive push notifications from suspicious websites. Such websites typically display intrusive ads, pop-ups, and messages wanting you to allow permissions for a page on the Web. A single click could redirect you multiple times, redirecting your browser through dozens of pages. Agressive redirect chains and intrusive pop-ups may also be the reason for an adware infection such as Skilled Object.
Once SkilledObject is added as an appllication or even a web browser extension in Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers, it may affect the performance of your Mac. The adware can make use of trackers to check your online browsing habits. Such technologies could be:
- Cookies.
- Tags.
- Pixels.
- Flash cookies.
- Geo-locators.
These could be used in a way that allows the app developers to see what you type while searching, and sometimes even see your saved usernames and passwords. This behavior is close to what a Trojan can perform. Furthermore, SkilledObject may use trackers to flood you with promotions, pop-ups, and other targeted ads.
Beware that SkilledObject may show a number of ads on your Mac, while you are browsing. Such often are:
- Web browser redirects and also page transfers.
- Pop-ups.
- Banners that will randomly appear.
- New tab ads.
- Your search engine is different than the traditional Google, DuckDuckGo, Yahoo or Bing search and shows search result ads.
- Push notifications ads.
The advertisements which could be revealed by SkilledObject do not make it a safe app. A few of the websites to which those ads could lead you might potentially include other threats. The main idea is that these ads are presented for profit and the cyber-criminals do not care what they advertise, as long as they monetize their efforts. Such ads can lead to the following sites:
- Infected sites that might contaminate your Mac with all sorts of spyware.
- Fraud websites employed for tech-support scams that aim to steal your information.
- Adware websites that may push other apps similar to SkilledObject on your Mac.
These are the reasons making SkilledObject unsafe for your Mac and why you should consider removing it.
Remove Skilled Object from Your Mac
For the removal of SkilledObject, it’s highly recommended to make sure and follow the elimination steps which are posted underneath this short post. They are designed to enable you to detect SkilledObject files as well as other threats. For a full removal, we advise that you run a scan with an advanced anti-malware program for Mac that will erase any suspicious or malicious files from macOS.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove SkilledObject files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SkilledObject, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall SkilledObject and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to SkilledObject:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to SkilledObject. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to SkilledObject. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove SkilledObject via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as SkilledObject. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove SkilledObject – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SkilledObject-FAQ
What is SkilledObject on your Mac?
The SkilledObject threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like SkilledObject?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from SkilledObject?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the SkilledObject Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SkilledObject how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on SkilledObject?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the SkilledObject threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.