How to uninstall SkillInitiator app/extension from Mac

What is SkillInitiator

SkillInitiator is supposed to be an app that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security professionals, this program is adware. Adware is considered by many to be synonymous with ‘malicious software’. It is a malicious program that presents unwanted advertisements to computer users. Some examples include pop-up advertisements, push notifications or unclosable windows. Adware software can be installed onto your MAC OS via infected web pages, when you open email attachments, anytime you download and install free applications.

Another reason why you need to get rid of adware is its online data-tracking activity. Adware is often harmless, but sometimes the adware you inadvertently download can also be spyware. Spyware can sometimes seek out your personal data stored on the machine, gather this information and use it to steal your identity.

Therefore it’s very important to follow the few simple steps below without a wait. The few simple steps will assist you to remove SkillInitiator as well as clean your browser from any unwanted ads. What is more, the step-by-step guide below will allow you remove other harmful software such as unwanted toolbars and browser hijackers which can be installed onto MAC system along with the adware.

How does SkillInitiator get on your machine

Probably adware get installed onto your MAC system when you have installed some free software such as E-Mail checker, PDF creator, video codec, etc. Because, in many cases, adware can be bundled within installers from Softonic, Cnet, Soft32, Brothersoft or other similar web-pages. So, you should launch any files downloaded from the Internet with great caution! Always carefully read the ‘User agreement’, ‘Software license’ and ‘Terms of use’. In the process of installing a new program, you need to choose the ‘Manual’, ‘Advanced’ or ‘Custom’ install type to control what components and optional applications to be installed, otherwise you run the risk of infecting your MAC system with an adware or potentially unwanted program (PUP).

Threat Summary

Name	SkillInitiator
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), pop-up virus, pop ups, popup advertisements
Symptoms	pop up ads won’t go away every time you perform an Internet search, your internet browser is redirected to another web page an unwanted addon appears in your browser unwanted changes in your browser like using a new default search provider low ping but slow Internet your computer is no stable leading to crashes
Removal	SkillInitiator removal guide

How to remove SkillInitiator adware

Without a doubt, the adware is harmful to your Apple Mac. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of SkillInitiator . To delete this adware software, you can use the manual removal tutorial which are given below or free malicious software removal tool such as MalwareBytes (it is free). We recommend you use automatic removal method that will allow you to delete SkillInitiator easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in Apple Mac or in the case where adware is not deleted automatically. Some of the steps below will require you to exit this web page. So, please read the instructions carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove SkillInitiator, execute the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Remove SkillInitiator related software through the Finder
3. Remove SkillInitiator related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove SkillInitiator from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

SkillInitiator can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with SkillInitiator.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Remove SkillInitiator related software through the Finder

The next step in uninstalling browser hijackers, adware and PUPs by yourself is to go into the Finder, then Applications. Take a look at the list of applications on your Mac computer and see if there are any dubious and unknown programs. If you see any, you need to uninstall it. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Internet search to find details on the program. If it is a potentially unwanted program, adware software and browser hijacker, you will likely find information that says so.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed software and get rid of all questionable and unknown apps.

When you have found anything suspicious that may be SkillInitiator or other PUP, then right click this application and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove SkillInitiator related files and folders

Now you need to try to find SkillInitiator related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for SkillInitiator generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: com.machelper.plist, search.plist, macsearch.plist, installapp.plist and SkillInitiator.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Check for SkillInitiator generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for SkillInitiator generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for SkillInitiator generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.machelper.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.SkillInitiator.plist, com.search.plist and com.installapp.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, adware and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual SkillInitiator removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware can be not completely removed. We advise that use MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to scan the Mac. Moreover, this application will allow you to remove potentially unwanted programs, toolbars, browser hijackers and adware that your Apple Mac may be affected too.

Visit the following page to download MalwareBytes Free.

After the download is complete, close all programs and windows on your computer. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown on the screen below.

Now click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan for the SkillInitiator adware. While the MalwareBytes Free is checking, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malware.

After the system scan is finished, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will show a screen that contains a list of malware that has been detected. Once you have selected what you wish to remove from your MAC press the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will remove SkillInitiator adware and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine.

Remove SkillInitiator from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Remove unwanted extensions is a easy solution to get rid of SkillInitiator adware and revert back web browser’s settings which have been modified by adware software.

• On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’.
• Select ‘Extensions’ tab.
• Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

 

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Chrome. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove SkillInitiator adware by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing issues with SkillInitiator adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

If you want to get rid of annoying ads, browser redirects and popups, then install an ad-blocking program like AdGuard. It can block unwanted ads and pop-ups, stop web sites from tracking your online activities when using the Safari, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome. So, if you like surf the Net, but you don’t like intrusive ads and want to protect your machine from harmful web-pages, then the AdGuard is your best choice.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you run your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying popups, block malicious and misleading webpages.

To sum up

After completing the few simple steps outlined above, your MAC OS should be clean from this adware software and other malware. The Google Chrome, Firefox and Safari will no longer show the SkillInitiator ads when you surf the Internet. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help.

Please create a new question by using the “Ask Question” button in the Questions and Answers. Try to give us some details about your problems, so we can try to help you more accurately. Wait for one of our trained “Security Team” or Site Administrator to provide you with knowledgeable assistance tailored to your problem with the SkillInitiator adware.