How to uninstall SketchBall app/extension from Mac

What is SketchBall

According to security specialists, SketchBall is an adware program. Adware is type of malware that can cause issues for your Apple Mac. It can generate numerous additional popup, banner, pop-under and in-text link advertisements flooding on your internet browser; gather your personal data like login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your computer running speed; give more chances for other adware, potentially unwanted apps even malicious software to get on your Apple Mac.

Does adware steal your privacy data? The SketchBall app can gather confidential data, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and ads;
• web browser version information.

In the step-by-step tutorial below, we will explain best possible solutions on how to remove SketchBall adware from your computer and free your browser of unwanted ads.

How does SketchBall get on your MAC system

Adware may be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malware, but in many cases, adware spreads bundled with certain free software. Many creators of free programs include optional apps in their setup file. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the installation of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, select only Manual, Custom or Advanced install type, disable all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free software.

Threat Summary

Name	SketchBall, SketchBall 1.0 app
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	Adware/Adload!OSX, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware.MAC.Generic, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload and OSX.Trojan.Gen
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake updaters, torrent downloads and misleading pop up advertisements
Symptoms	Every time you perform an Internet search, your internet browser is redirected to another web site, web-browser popups appear and recommend fake Flash updates, new entries appear in your Applications folder, unwanted toolbars on your desktop, your web browser search provider has replaced without your permission, slow Internet browsing speeds.
Removal	SketchBall removal guide

How to Remove SketchBall (removal tutorial)

We can assist you remove SketchBall from your Mac and web-browsers, without the need to take your MAC to a professional. Simply follow the removal instructions below if you currently have the annoying adware on your MAC system and want to get rid of it. If you’ve any difficulty while trying to delete the adware, feel free to ask for our assist in the comment section below. Certain of the steps below will require you to close this web-site. So, please read the step-by-step guide carefully, after that bookmark it or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove SketchBall, follow the steps below:

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

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

SketchBall can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

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 device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with SketchBall.

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

Uninstall SketchBall related applications through the Finder

Go to the Finder and uninstall suspicious software, all applications you do not remember installing. It’s important to pay the most attention to apps you have recently installed. If you don’t know what a program does, look for the answer on the Net.

1. Open the Finder.
2. Click “Applications”.
3. It will open a list of all applications installed on the computer.
4. Scroll through the all list, and delete questionable and unknown software. Pay maximum attention to the application you installed last.
5. Drag the suspicious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
6. Empty Trash.

Remove SketchBall related files and folders

Now you need to try to find SketchBall 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.

SketchBall creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.SketchBall.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.SketchBall.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.SketchBall.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.SketchBall.service.app

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 SketchBall 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, com.SketchBall.service.plist, com.net-preferences.plist, search.plist, macsearch.plist, installapp.plist and com.google.defaultsearch.plist, . Most often, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Check for SketchBall 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. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.SketchBall.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for SketchBall 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 SketchBall 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.macsearch.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist, com.SketchBall.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, potentially unwanted programs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual SketchBall removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware can be not completely removed. We recommend that use MalwareBytes to scan the Mac. Moreover, this application will allow you to get rid of toolbars, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs that your machine can be affected too.

Installing the MalwareBytes Anti Malware is simple. First you’ll need to download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) on your MS Windows Desktop from the link below.

After the download is complete, close all windows on your computer. Further, run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you may see its main window as displayed below.

Next, click the “Scan Now” button to scan for SketchBall adware. This task may take some time, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Free will locate threats present on your MAC.

When the scan get completed, MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) will show a list of detected items. Make sure to check mark the items that are unsafe and then press the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Free will begin to get rid of SketchBall .

Remove SketchBall from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you have ‘SketchBall adware’ removal problem, then remove unwanted extensions can help you. In the steps below we will show you the way to remove malicious addons without reinstall. This will also help to delete SketchBall adware from your browser.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. When the drop-down menu appears, select ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove SketchBall adware by reset 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 problems with SketchBall 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

Use adblocker application such as AdGuard in order to stop advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your Apple Mac performance and impact your computer security. Surf the Internet anonymously and stay safe online!

1. Please go to the link below to download AdGuard.
   
   

   AdGuard for Mac download
   3687 downloads
   Author: © Adguard
   Category: Security tools
   Update: January 17, 2018
   
2. After the downloading process is done, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
3. When the installation is done, click “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
4. In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you run your MAC, AdGuard will start automatically and stop undesired ads, block malicious and misleading webpages.

To sum up

Now your Apple Mac should be free of the SketchBall adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you block unwanted popup advertisements and intrusive malicious web-sites) and MalwareBytes Anti Malware (to periodically scan your computer for new malware, hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new hijackers, malicious programs and adware software are released.

If you are still having problems while trying to remove adware software from your web browser, then ask for help here.