Remove AccessibleEngineSearch Hijacker From Mac

AccessibleEngineSearch: Simple Uninstall Guide

AccessibleEngineSearch is a nasty computer infection which upon getting into the Mac devices, performs malicious deeds inside and wreaks havoc onto the machine. It’s perilous browser hijacker that makes alterations to default browser’s settings to promote a fake search engine. It is generally distributed via fake Adobe Flash Player updates and software bundle and hence, often considered as a potentially unwanted program (PUP). This nasty hijacker also includes data-tracking feature that is utilized to customize ads. It aims to boost traffic for third-party websites and make quick online revenues for the developers.

AccessibleEngineSearch Performs Several Malicious Deeds:

Initially upon getting into the Mac computers, AccessibleEngineSearch modifies the settings of browser and assigns its own perilous URL as the new search engine, homepage and new tab addresses without even seeking for any permission. It also installs various suspicious toolbars, extensions, plug-ins etc. on the browser to prevent the settings from being restored. These add-ons work as spyware and constantly monitor victims’ web activities. It collects various browsing-related data such as entered search queries, IP addresses, geolocations, sites visited, links clicked and so on.

Data gathered by AccessibleEngineSearch is shared with commercial content creators to generate personalized ads. And therefore, during the presence of this hijacker in your Mac, you are bombarded with an excessive amount of intrusive advertisements all over the day which interrupts your web sessions badly. These ads are in several forms such as pop-ups, coupons, banners, surveys, deals, offers, discounts etc. They look very eye-catching at the first glance but can be very risky indeed, as they might trigger redirects to various phishing/scam, malware-laden, gaming, gambling, fake tech support and other insecure pages.

So, stay away from AccessibleEngineSearch ads no matter how attractive or useful they look. While using the fake search tool promoted by this hijacker, you are redirected to legitimate engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing etc. This is because these fake search tools are not able to deliver results, so they reroute to genuine ones. Nonetheless, it provides inorganic results filled with ads and sponsored links that are placed right at the top. Hence, there is no benefit in using these fraudulent search providers and rely only on legitimate ones. This nasty PUP slows down the overall computer performance drastically as it consumes enormous amount of memory resources and increases the usage of CPU. So, AccessibleEngineSearch removal should not be delayed.

Intrusion Of AccessibleEngineSearch:

Potentially unwanted programs are generally spread via download/installation setups of other free applications as optional tool. This false marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or vicious additions is known as “bundling”. This generally happens when downloading a freeware from popular site like soft32.com, softonic.com, cnet.com, download.com etc. and then installing the program using Quick or Recommended configuration settings.

It can be avoided by selecting right configuration settings. The Custom or Advanced options provide you complete control over the incoming downloads and allow you to opt-out the unwanted components from the download list. This way you can prevent adware, browser hijackers and other PUPs from intruding your system and install only the one wanted at the first. You should also stay away from suspicious ads while web surfing as they might redirect you to malware-laden sites that may result in PUP infiltration. If your device is already infected with this threat, you must remove AccessibleEngineSearch from the Mac without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to AccessibleEngineSearch

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove AccessibleEngineSearch from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete AccessibleEngineSearch add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to AccessibleEngineSearch. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.