PUP.SkyWebSearch.B is a browser hijacker and potentially unwanted program (PUP) that manipulates your web browser's settings to redirect search queries through questionable search engines and display intrusive advertisements. This software typically arrives bundled with free downloads and immediately alters your homepage, default search engine, and new tab page without meaningful consent. While not as destructive as ransomware or banking trojans, PUP.SkyWebSearch.B creates persistent annoyance, exposes you to malicious advertising networks, and can significantly degrade your browsing experience and system performance.
This threat primarily affects Windows users across all major browsers—Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and others. Once installed, it establishes multiple persistence mechanisms that make casual removal attempts frustrating and often ineffective. The redirected search results not only waste your time but can also lead to phishing sites, scam pages, and additional malware downloads.
Threat Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP), Adware |
| Family | SkyWebSearch variants |
| Platform | Windows (7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11); all major browsers |
| Common Aliases | SkyWebSearch.B, SkyWebSearch PUP, BrowserModifier:Win32/SkySearch |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, fake installer updates, deceptive download buttons |
| Persistence Mechanisms | Browser extensions, scheduled tasks, registry Run keys, policy modifications |
| Primary Capabilities | Search redirection, ad injection, browser settings modification, tracking cookie installation |
| Data Collection | Search queries, browsing history, clicked links, device identifiers |
| Network Behavior | Frequent connections to ad-serving domains and tracking servers; typical domains include variations of skywebsearch[.]com and affiliated networks |
| File System Artifacts | Files in %LOCALAPPDATA%, %APPDATA%, browser profile folders; typically 2-8 MB installation footprint |
| Removal Difficulty | Moderate—requires manual browser cleanup and registry edits in addition to file deletion |
| Damage Potential | Low direct damage; high annoyance and exposure risk to secondary threats |
How It Spreads
PUP.SkyWebSearch.B relies almost exclusively on deceptive distribution tactics that exploit user trust and inattention during software installation. The vast majority of infections occur when users download legitimate-seeming free software from third-party download sites—not the official publisher's website. These bundled installers include the PUP as an "optional offer" presented in ways designed to encourage accidental acceptance: pre-checked boxes buried in multi-page installation wizards, misleading button layouts where "Accept" looks like the normal "Next" button, or rapid-fire installation screens that discourage careful reading.
The infection also spreads through fake update notifications that appear while browsing. These convincing-looking pop-ups claim your Flash Player, Java, or browser is out of date and needs an urgent update. Clicking "Update Now" downloads an installer that contains PUP.SkyWebSearch.B along with other unwanted software. Some variants also arrive through malicious advertising on legitimate websites—clicking on certain ads triggers an automatic download or redirects you to a compromised site hosting the installer.
Common infection vectors include:
- Bundled freeware installers from download portals like Softonic, Download.com, or similar sites that repackage legitimate software with additional offers
- Fake software update notifications for Flash Player, media codecs, or browser plugins
- Deceptive download buttons on file-sharing or streaming sites that mimic legitimate download links
- Torrent files and cracks for pirated software, which frequently include PUPs and worse threats
- Malicious browser extensions promoted through social media ads or search engine results for popular tools
- Email attachments disguised as software recommendations or system optimization utilities
What It Does On Your Machine
Once installed, PUP.SkyWebSearch.B moves quickly to establish control over your web browsers. It injects a browser extension or helper object into Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and any other browsers it detects. This extension forcibly changes your homepage to a search page under the attacker's control, replaces your default search engine with a redirect service, and hijacks new tab pages. Every search you perform gets routed through this intermediary service before showing you results—often a modified version of legitimate search results from Google or Bing, but peppered with sponsored links and ads that generate revenue for the hijacker's operators.
Beyond search manipulation, the PUP monitors your browsing activity. It logs search terms, visited URLs, time spent on pages, and clicked links. This data gets transmitted to remote servers operated by the PUP's distributors and their advertising partners. While the data collection typically focuses on browsing patterns rather than passwords or financial information, the privacy violation is real and the collected data often gets sold to third-party marketing companies. The tracking also enables more targeted ad injection—you'll notice ads that seem eerily related to your recent searches appearing on websites that don't normally display advertisements.
System performance takes a hit as well. The constant background processes checking for and injecting ads consume CPU cycles and memory. Browsers become noticeably slower to launch and navigate between pages. You may experience frequent page loading delays, unresponsive tabs, and unexpected crashes. The PUP also displays pop-up windows, opens new tabs without your action, and inserts in-text ads (where normal text on websites becomes hyperlinked to advertising content). In some cases, PUP.SkyWebSearch.B modifies browser security settings or Windows Firewall rules to ensure it can maintain its connection to command servers.
The hijacker establishes persistence through multiple mechanisms to survive basic removal attempts. It creates scheduled tasks that reinstall components if they're deleted. It modifies browser policy settings that prevent users from changing their homepage or default search engine through normal browser settings. Some variants also install a system service or modify the Windows registry to launch components at startup. This redundancy means that simply uninstalling a browser extension or resetting your homepage usually proves ineffective—the PUP simply reconfigures your browser within minutes or after the next system restart.
Manual Removal — Step by Step
Disconnect from the Internet and Boot to Safe Mode
Disconnect your ethernet cable or disable Wi-Fi to prevent the PUP from receiving commands or downloading additional components. Restart your computer and press F8 (or Shift+F8 on newer systems) repeatedly during boot to access the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select "Safe Mode with Networking" to boot Windows with minimal drivers and prevent the PUP's startup processes from launching automatically. This creates a cleaner environment for removal work.
Uninstall Suspicious Programs from Control Panel
Open Control Panel > Programs and Features (or Settings > Apps on Windows 10/11). Sort the list by "Installed On" date and look for recently installed programs you don't recognize, particularly anything with "Sky," "Web," "Search," or "Browser" in the name. Uninstall any suspicious entries. PUPs often install under generic names like "PC Optimizer," "System Speedup," or with random strings of characters. Don't skip this step even if you don't see an obvious entry—the uninstaller may clean up some registry keys that manual removal would miss.
Remove Browser Extensions from All Browsers
Open each browser you have installed and navigate to the extensions/add-ons manager (chrome://extensions in Chrome, about:addons in Firefox, edge://extensions in Edge). Remove any extensions you didn't intentionally install, paying special attention to those with generic names, poor reviews, or vague permissions. PUP.SkyWebSearch.B may prevent removal of its extension through normal means—if you can't remove an extension, note its ID (visible in Developer Mode in Chrome) for manual file deletion in later steps.
Delete PUP Files from AppData Folders
Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local and C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming (you may need to enable "Show hidden files" in View options). Look for folders named SkyWebSearch, SkySearch, or similar. Delete these entire folders. Also check browser-specific folders: Chrome extensions are in \AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions, Firefox add-ons in \AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\[profile]\extensions. Delete any folders with IDs matching the extension you couldn't remove earlier.
Clean Registry Persistence Mechanisms
Press Windows+R, type "regedit," and press Enter to open Registry Editor. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. Delete any entries pointing to the SkyWebSearch executable you found earlier. Also check HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software for folders named after the PUP—delete those entire keys. Be careful to only delete entries you can positively identify as related to the infection; deleting wrong registry keys can cause system instability.
Remove Scheduled Tasks
Open Task Scheduler (press Windows+R, type "taskschd.msc," press Enter). Browse through the task library looking for tasks with names like "SkySearch Update," "Browser Maintenance," or other generic names scheduled to run frequently. Right-click suspicious tasks and select Delete. The PUP typically creates tasks running every few hours to verify its installation and reinstall deleted components. Eliminating these prevents reinfection after you restart.
Reset Browser Settings and Remove Policies
In each browser, access settings and look for a "Reset settings" or "Restore settings to their original defaults" option. This removes hijacked homepage and search engine settings. For Chrome, also check chrome://policy to see if the PUP installed any policies—these require registry edits to remove (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome). Delete these policy keys if present, as they can force reinstallation of the malicious extension even after reset.
Run Malwarebytes or Similar Reputable Scanner
Download and install Malwarebytes Free (from malwarebytes.com—be sure you're on the legitimate site) or another reputable anti-malware tool like HitmanPro. Run a full system scan. These tools have signature databases specifically designed to catch PUPs and their associated components that manual removal might miss. Let the scan complete even if it takes an hour or more, and allow the software to quarantine or delete everything it finds. This catches straggler files and registry entries that are easy to overlook manually.
Clear Browser Caches and Cookies
In each browser, clear all browsing data including cached files, cookies, and site data. PUP.SkyWebSearch.B installs tracking cookies that can survive other removal steps. In Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data > All time. In Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data > Clear Data. This also removes any cached redirect pages that might cause confusion about whether the PUP is truly gone.
Restart Normally and Verify Clean Removal
Restart your computer normally (not in Safe Mode) and reconnect to the internet. Open your browsers and check that your homepage and default search engine are set to your preferences. Perform several web searches and verify you're not being redirected through unfamiliar search pages. Monitor system behavior for the next few hours—if pop-ups return or settings revert, the PUP had additional persistence mechanisms you missed. In that case, consider professional help rather than repeating manual removal, as some variants install rootkit-level components that require specialized tools.
Prevention
- Download software only from official publisher websites. Avoid third-party download portals like Download.com, Softonic, or CNET Downloads. When you need free software, go directly to the developer's site—search for "[software name] official download" rather than clicking the first result.
- Read every screen during software installation carefully. Never click "Next" repeatedly without reading. Look for pre-checked boxes offering "additional software," "browser toolbars," or "recommended offers." Switch to "Custom" or "Advanced" installation modes that expose these bundled offers, then decline everything except the program you actually wanted.
- Keep a reputable ad-blocker installed. Extensions like uBlock Origin prevent malicious ads from displaying and reduce your exposure to fake download buttons and scam offers. Most PUP infections start with a click on a deceptive ad—blocking them at the browser level eliminates a major infection vector.
- Ignore all browser-based update notifications. Legitimate software updates through Windows Update or the software's built-in updater—never through random browser pop-ups. When a website claims Flash or Java needs updating, close the notification and manually check for updates by opening the actual program or visiting the official Adobe/Oracle sites.
- Run periodic scans with Malwarebytes or similar tools. Even if you're careful, schedule a monthly scan with a reputable anti-malware program. The free version of Malwarebytes works well for this. Regular scans catch PUPs before they become entrenched, making removal much simpler.
- Keep Windows and all software updated. Enable automatic updates for Windows, your browsers, and all installed software. While PUPs typically rely on social engineering rather than exploiting vulnerabilities, staying updated prevents security holes that could be leveraged for deeper infections if a PUP downloads additional malware.
- Use standard user accounts for daily computing. Create a separate administrator account for installing software and perform day-to-day browsing from a standard user account. This prevents PUPs from installing system-level persistence mechanisms without your explicit approval, limiting the damage they can cause.
- Be skeptical of software recommendations from unknown sources. If an email, social media message, or forum post recommends a "great new browser extension" or "system optimizer," research it thoroughly before installing. Check reviews on reputable sites and search for "[program name] + PUP" or "[program name] + scam" to see if others have reported problems.
Bring It In
Manual removal of PUP.SkyWebSearch.B is possible for technically comfortable users, but it's time-consuming and easy to miss components that allow reinfection. If you've followed these steps and still experience redirected searches, unwanted pop-ups, or slow browser performance, the infection likely has persistence mechanisms beyond what manual removal can address. At Computer Repair Roswell, we see these infections daily and have specialized tools that detect even deeply hidden components. We'll completely clean your system, verify removal with multiple scanning engines, and get you back to normal browsing—typically while you wait.
We're located at 1735 Hembree Road in Roswell, Georgia, just off Holcomb Bridge Road near the Walmart. Our shop is open Monday through Friday 10 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM. Call us at (770) 773-1763 to describe your symptoms and we'll let you know what to expect for turnaround and cost—most PUP removals we complete same-day for a flat rate. Don't waste your weekend fighting browser hijackers; bring your PC or Mac to us and spend your time on things that matter. We'll get you cleaned up right.