What Is SkySearch on Mac?
SkySearch is an application that acts as adware. The app exists to display promoted content without your authorisation. The problem is that it will make your Mac extremely slow and will endanger it with ads that lead to very dangerous websites, like scams or malware. Programs like SkySearch are regarded as indirectly unsafe for Mac machines and the best decision is their complete removal.
Read this article to learn more information about this program and how you can get rid of it from your device safely.
SkySearch Mac – Details
| Name | SkySearch also known as Adware.MacOS.SkySearch |
| Type | Adware, PUP, Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your device begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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SkySearch Virus – How Did I Get Infected
The AdLoad family of threats is very likely the one which SkySearch belongs to. Other variants of the same threat for Mac include SelectorComponent, EdgeAdvanced, and JumpSearch.
All these programs may be spread via fake Adobe Flash Player web pages like the one shown in the example below:
Another popular way which could be used for the distribution is software bundling. The method works with lots of other adware, browser hijackers as well as supposedly useful free apps. Its realization is easy and effective due to fraudsters’ chance to add undesired apps to the installation setup of all types of programs we’ve just mentioned. Usually, apps with corrupted installers could be downloaded from websites outside of the App Store.
The undesired program could be encountered in one of the installation steps, like shown in the example below:
SkySearch – What Does It Do?
Once on your Mac, SkySearch could begin to display a number of different advertisements without your consent, like the following types:
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Redirects.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Intrusive push notifications.
These advertisements often contain multiple forms of trackers, the most commonly used of which are cookies:
These tracking technologies are often used by adware applications or websites that are advertised in order to collect information about what you do in your browser so they can target you with more ads. The problem is you do not know what happens to the collected data, which could be of the following types:
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse movements.
- Your mouse clicks.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your bookmarked websites.
Is SkySearch a Virus?
Even though SkySearch is not a virus, it can be just as dangerous as real malware. Its capability of altering macOS settings without your permission and then start showing adverts makes it a risky app. The app can also be misused by hackers to obtain remote access to the affected machine and then steal data or install malicious software in the background of all other running processes.
Furthermore, some of the advertisements could be more dangerous than others since they can link to websites, like the following:
- Rogue software sites.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Tech support fraud pages.
Keep reading this article in order to learn more information about how you can remove this program.
How to Remove SkySearch from Mac?
In order to remove SkySearch from your Mac and the web browser that it has impacted, we would suggest following the guide below. It is designed to contain the steps that it takes to clean up your web browsers that are affected by this software and also delete it from your MacOS. For the most effective removal, security professionals do advise that you remove this program automatically by using anti-malware software. This program is designed with the primary idea to automatically and thoroughly scan your device and get rid of any malicious software, trackers and other unwanted applications and objects.-
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 SkySearch files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as SkySearch, 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 SkySearch 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 SkySearch:
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 SkySearch. 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 SkySearch. 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 SkySearch 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 SkySearch. 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 SkySearch – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
SkySearch-FAQ
What is SkySearch on your Mac?
The SkySearch 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 SkySearch?
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 SkySearch?
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 SkySearch Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this SkySearch 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 SkySearch?
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 SkySearch threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.