SkilledConfig browser hijacker removal instructions

SkilledConfig search hijacker is an illustration of a basic unwanted program; such applications are distributed massively nowadays. In this article you will see the precise guidance of SkilledConfig hijacker removal in different methods: using anti-malware software and also manual elimination method.
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About SkilledConfig hijacker origins

SkilledConfig search hijacker is a potentially unwanted application (PUA)1, that is distributed as a plugin for your internet browser. It is usually shared as an add-on for Chrome or Firefox, that assists to browse some certain info, for instance, about sporting activity events, make your browser a lot more safe, enable downloading of any type of video, and so on.

Nevertheless, the SkilledConfig plugin is fairly pointless because all such functions are currently embedded to your browser and/or system. Such marketing mottos are targeted on low-skilled computer users, for example, pensioners or schoolchildren. But in some cases even professional users are getting caught on such an attraction. In certain cases, this hijacker is distributed along with free programs.

Here is a short summary for the SkilledConfig hijacker
Sitesearch.skilledconfig.com
HostingAS16509 Amazon.com, Inc.
Germany, Frankfurt am Main
Infection TypeBrowser Hijacker, Unwanted Application
IP Address13.224.194.126
SymptomsChanged search engine; search queries redirection
Similar behaviorMyTab App, Search Pulse, Mazy Search
Fix Tool
To remove possible virus infections, try to scan your PC

How harmful is SkilledConfig hijacker?

Besides its uselessness, SkilledConfig hijacker is likewise considerably unsafe for browser usage. It alters your search engine to its particular – search.skilledconfig.com, and additionally changes your background, putting its watermark on your wallpaper (or, sometimes, altering it to default with the mentioned symbol).

In addition to seeable adjustments done by SkilledConfig hijacker, you may discover that a couple of your search queries are redirecting to the untrustworthy websites, filled with links and advertisements – so-called doorway websites. Such sites can consist of the web links for malware downloading. The possibility of redirecting rises if you attempt to start Google search page forcibly.

However all these activities are much more annoying than really dangerous. The largest danger, primarily for people who have a considerable amount of secret information in their web browsers, is installed in data collecting functions. Cookie files, chats, often-visited sites and other activities are easily collected by SkilledConfig hijacker.

How to remove SkilledConfig search hijacker?

  • Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
  • Open GridinSoft Anti-Malware and perform a “Standard scan“.
  • “Move to quarantine” all items.
  • Open “Tools” tab – Press “Reset Browser Settings“.
  • Select proper browser and options – Click “Reset”.
  • Restart your computer.

Browser hijackers are typically fairly very easy to deal with. Most of the times, they have a separate application that can be seen in the list of installed programs. Due to the particular distribution way of SkilledConfig hijacker, it can be quickly tracked and deleted manually. Nonetheless, if you got SkilledConfig in the package with a free application( s), your PC may be infected with far more dangerous malwaretrojans, spyware or even ransomware. That’s why I ‘d advise you to make use of anti-malware programs to remove the SkilledConfig PUA and all various other malware.

You can use Microsoft Defender2 – it is capable of discovering and eliminating various malware, including named hijacker. However, serious malware, that might exist on your computer in the mentioned situation, can disable the Windows antimalware program by modifying the Group Policies. To avoid such scenarios, it is better to utilize GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

To detect and delete all malicious applications on your desktop with GridinSoft Anti-Malware, it’s better to utilize Standard or Full scan. Quick Scan is not able to find all the malicious apps, because it scans only the most popular registry entries and folders.

Main screen in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

You can spectate the detected malicious programs sorted by their possible harm simultaneously with the scan process. But to choose any actions against malicious apps, you need to hold on until the scan is over, or to stop the scan.

GridinSoft Anti-Malware during the scan

To choose the action for every detected virus or unwanted program, click the arrow in front of the name of detected malicious app. By default, all the viruses will be moved to quarantine.

List of detected malware after the scan

Reset browser settings to original ones

To revert your browser settings, you are required to use the Reset Browser Settings option. This action is not able to be counteracted by any virus, hence, you will surely see the result. This action can be located in the Tools tab.

Tools tab in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

After choosing the Reset Browser Settings option, the menu will be displayed, where you can specify, which settings will be reverted to original.

Reset Browser Settings options

Deleteing SkilledConfig hijacker manually

Besides using anti-malware software for browser restoration, you may choose the “Reset browser settings” function, which is usually embedded in all popular browsers.

To reset Edge, do the following steps :
  1. Open “Settings and more” tab in upper right corner, then find here “Settings” button. In the appeared menu, choose “Reset settings” option :
  2. Reseting the Edge browser

  3. After picking the Reset Settings option, you will see the following menu, stating about the settings which will be reverted to original :
For Mozilla Firefox, do the next actions :
  1. Open Menu tab (three strips in upper right corner) and click the “Help” button. In the appeared menu choose “troubleshooting information” :
  2. The first step to revert Mozilla Firefox

  3. In the next screen, find the “Refresh Firefox” option :
  4. The second step of Firefox restoration
    After choosing this option, you will see the next message :
    The last step for Firefox

If you use Google Chrome
  1. Open Settings tab, find the “Advanced” button. In the extended tab choose the “Reset and clean up” button :
  2. In the appeared list, click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” :
  3. Finally, you will see the window, where you can see all the settings which will be reset to default :
Opera can be reset in the next way
  1. Open Settings menu by pressing the gear icon in the toolbar (left side of the browser window), then click “Advanced” option, and choose “Browser” button in the drop-down list. Scroll down, to the bottom of the settings menu. Find there “Restore settings to their original defaults” option :
  2. After clicking the “Restore settings…” button, you will see the window, where all settings, which will be reset, are shown :

As an afterword, I want to say that the time plays against you and your PC. The activity of browser hijacker must be stopped as soon as possible, because of possibility of other malware injection. This malware can be downloaded autonomously, or offered for you to download in one of the windows with advertisements, which are shown to you by the hijacker. You need to act as fast as you can.

I need your help to share this guide.

Browser hijackers are among the most large and also disruptive kinds of malware. I published this article to help you, so I wish you will help me to make the computer world completely clean of malware. Please, share this article in the social networks you use – Twitter, Reddit, Facebook – wherever.
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Wilbur Woodham
How to Remove SkilledConfig?

Name: SkilledConfig

Description: SkilledConfig - a lot of users became a victim of browser hijacker. I have a lot of friends who literally bombed me with the questions like “how to remove SkilledConfig?”. In this article we will show you how to deal with SkilledConfig (Search.skilledconfig.com), which may corrupt your browser’s correct performance, and create a lot of troubles while you are working.

Operating System: Windows

Application Category: Browser Hijacker

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References

  1. More information about PUAs
  2. Detailed review of Microsoft Defender

About the author

Wilbur Woodham

I was a technical writer from early in my career, and consider IT Security one of my foundational skills. I’m sharing my experience here, and I hope you find it useful.

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