Skyjem.com browser hijacker (Chrome, Firefox, IE, Edge) - Free Guide
Skyjem.com browser hijacker Removal Guide
What is Skyjem.com browser hijacker?
Skyjem.com is a web address associated with a browser-hijacking browser extension
Skyjem.com is a website frequently linked to browser hijackers, which are deceptive applications designed to manipulate web browsers. These programs typically come bundled with free software or are disguised as legitimate browser extensions, tricking users into installing them. Once active, they modify browser settings, including the default search engine and homepage, redirecting users to Skyjem.com or other untrustworthy sites.
This behavior disrupts regular browsing, showing intrusive advertisements and promoting questionable content. The hijackers affiliated with Skyjem.com could also track browsing history by recording data such as search queries, visited websites, and sensitive details, which could then be misused for targeted advertising or sold to third-party providers.
Such hijackers are not harmful in the traditional sense of being typical malware, but their actions certainly do compromise privacy and lower the quality of interaction with the browser.
Name | Skyjem.com |
Type | Browser hijacker, potentially unwanted application |
Distribution | Fake ads, software bundles |
Associated extension | InternetGuardian |
Symptoms | A browser extension or an application installed on the device; homepage and new tab address set to skyjem.com; ads and sponsored links in search results and elsewhere; promotes other potentially unwanted apps |
Risks | Data tracking from various third parties, exposure to malicious ads, redirects to malicious sites, installation of other PUPs |
Removal | You can eliminate the browser hijacker by adjusting your browser's settings. Scanning your system with SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner security software will confirm that there is no adware or malware running in the background |
Other tips | We recommend scanning the system with PC repair and maintenance utility FortectIntego to remove leftover files and ensure that trackers are eliminated from the browser |
Characteristics of the Skyjem.com browser hijacker
Skyjem.com browser hijackers are known for their invasive alterations to browsers, significantly affecting user experience. Once installed, they target various browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari, making them widely problematic. These hijackers are often bundled with free software or disguised as useful browser extensions, allowing them to integrate seamlessly into the system without user awareness.
The primary method of operation involves modifying browser settings. The default search engine, homepage, and new tab URL are commonly replaced with Skyjem.com or related pages. This tactic ensures consistent user redirection to the hijacker's content, disrupting regular browsing and increasing exposure to unwanted advertisements. Often, these settings are locked, requiring advanced measures to undo the changes.
In addition to this, Skyjem.com hijacker interferes with browser behavior by inserting a number of various ads. The pop-ups may redirect to insecure or malicious websites, causing inconvenience and a potential hazard for users. In the long term, the number of advertisements could reduce the browser's performance and increase resource consumption.
When having a Skyjem.com hijacker installed on your system, you might be exposed to the following dangers:
- Hijackers track browsing habits, collecting data such as search terms, visited websites, and geographical locations. This information can be misused for targeted advertising or sold to third parties, raising privacy concerns.
- Redirects to phishing sites and downloads of additional malware increase the risk of compromised accounts and system infections.
- Hijackers often overload browsers with scripts and ads, leading to slow response times and frequent crashes.
While Skyjem.com hijackers are not directly harmful malware, their intrusive nature and potential security risks make them a significant threat to online safety. Identifying these behaviors early is critical to maintaining a secure browsing environment.
How the unwanted applications are spread
Skyjem.com browser hijackers are typically distributed through deceptive practices aimed at tricking users into installing them. These methods often involve exploiting free software downloads, malicious advertisements, or disguised updates to gain entry into users' systems.
One of the most common techniques is software bundling, where the hijacker is hidden within the installation process of legitimate free programs. Users who rush through installation without reviewing additional components may unknowingly install the hijacker. Similarly, malicious ads and redirects on questionable websites can trigger downloads when users interact with fake alerts or software updates.
Once installed, these hijackers manipulate browser settings and integrate deeply into the browser’s configuration. They exploit permissions granted by users, either through misleading prompts or silent installation methods, ensuring their persistence and complicating removal. Their ability to spread across popular browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and others amplifies their impact.
Removal of unwanted software
While Skyjem.com is not as dangerous as classic malware, browser hijackers still can seriously disturb your browsing experience and expose your privacy. These applications tend to track browsing history, including websites visited and search queries, for further advertising usage or even more intrusive tracking. Allowing such an application to stay on your system brings unnecessary risks and is of no benefit for the user at all.
Skyjem.com is typically working like a browser extension. Taking care of removing Skyjem.com will probably fix things. But first of all, one should run the whole virus scan to ensure he's not dealing with the next more serious malware and virus family. With such SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes, in a few seconds all threats can be found hidden – that is really indispensable assistance; safety is guaranteed when eliminating files related to Skyjem.com.
After confirming that your system is clean, focus on eliminating the extension itself. Addressing browser hijackers promptly prevents further privacy breaches and restores a secure browsing environment, ensuring that your personal data remains protected.
Google Chrome
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all the suspicious plugins that might be related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the window's top-right).
- Select Add-ons.
- Here, select the unwanted plugin and click Remove.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.
Safari
- Click Safari > Preferences…
- In the new window, pick Extensions.
- Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.
Internet Explorer
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.
As noted earlier, browser hijackers like Skyjem.com are notorious for collecting user data, which is often shared with third parties to generate revenue. To achieve this, developers embed tracking tools within the hijacker’s framework, enabling them to monitor browsing activity and gather sensitive information. Alarmingly, these trackers may persist even after the primary extension has been removed, continuing to invade user privacy.
To address this issue effectively, it’s essential to thoroughly clear all cookies and other stored web data from your browser. Neglecting this step can leave traces of the hijacker’s activity and allow data collection to continue unnoticed. This cleanup can be done efficiently using FortectIntego software, which automates the process and ensures comprehensive removal. Alternatively, manual steps can be followed to target and delete residual data.
Google Chrome
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.
Mozilla Firefox
- Click Menu and pick Options.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data…
- Select Cookies and Site Data, as well as Cached Web Content, and press Clear.
MS Edge (Chromium)
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.
Safari
- Click Safari > Clear History…
- From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
- Confirm with Clear History.
Internet Explorer
- Click on the Gear icon > Internet options and select the Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.
How to prevent from getting browser hijacker
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity. While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important – recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data. Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as Data Recovery Pro can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.