Remove AssistiveModule Adware From Mac OS

Proper Guide To Delete AssistiveModule

AssistiveModule is piece of adware that modifies custom settings in the browser to cause advertisements coming out of nowhere. This potentially unwanted program significantly diminishes your time online as it delivers pop-ups, banners and other annoying content which redirects online traffic to sponsored pages. You are taken to web portals that are filled with promotional ads, useless content and low-quality advertising networks. This behavior is focused on numbers because ad-supported sites, adware, other potentially unwanted threats are designed to generate and attract views, page visits, clicks on adverts that can be monetized later on.

Know More About AssistiveModule:

AssistiveModule has been designed for Mac OS devices and is no different than other adware-type intruders. It is categorized as PUP because the distribution technique involves freeware installation processes, pre-packed bundles, deceptive sites, shady freeware sharing services, and infecting the machine without any permission or agreement. Once it gets loaded on the targeted systems, it starts causing problems related to browsing online, promotional content, and even system crashes and freezes. Many issues on the system appear once the adware is installed:

• altered system preferences;
• diminished performance of the device;
• decreased speed of the internet and the computer itself;
• sites commonly not involving advertisements start showing hyperlinks or banners with promotional content;
• installed applications, browser extensions, and add-ons without permission.

AssistiveModule looks valid and risk-free at first, but this ad-supported software can affect Chrome, Firefox, Explorer, Safari, and other browsers significantly. It diminishes the speed, affects normal performance, and makes the system running not as smooth, causes crashes, and freezes. Once the application starts running on the device it makes changes in various settings, so the more time you give the infection the more affected work-station gets.

AssistiveModule app like most of such applications serves as data targeting advertising services. This nasty PUA can collect PII as the user is surfing the web. Multiple information like browsing the history, most visited pages, bookmarked sites, searched items, location gets monitored and collected. If the information ends up in the hands of someone malicious, it can lead to more serious privacy issues. Your banking and other financial details can be misused for fraudulent transaction, which can cause you to suffer a big financial loss. And therefore, a quick AssistiveModule removal is highly recommended.

Threat Details

Name: AssistiveModule

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Redirects users to affiliated sites, promotes sponsored products, services and programs and make online revenues for the creators, Also steals users’ personal and confidential information and share them with hackers for evil purposes.

Symptoms: Alterations in default browser’s settings, default Internet search engine, Endless annoying adverts, Fake pop-up messages, identity theft, new tab settings. Users are enforced to visit hijacker’s website and search the Internet using their search engines, slowness of infected system’s performance.

Distribution methods: Free software installers (bundling), Deceptive emails, malicious pop-ups ads, fake flash player installers.

Damage: Web browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), exhibition of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

Removal: To get rid of this infection and other malware threats, our security researchers recommend scanning your device with an effective anti-malware tool.

Infiltration Of AssistiveModule:

Installing freeware can be dangerous when you don’t pay sufficient attention to details and processes running on the machine. Some users are unaware that potentially unwanted applications can be attached to their selected freeware apps and get on the device without asking for permission. This often takes place when you download the software or any tool from unsafe source and install them using ‘Quick’ or ‘Recommended’ configuration wizard. This mode doesn’t disclose the contents that are attached with the main program.

Tips To Prevent PUP Intrusion:

While installing an application, the inclusion is not fully disclosed unless you go for Advanced or Custom options that reveal the full list of programs prepared for the infiltration. This means that PUP infiltration can be prevented if you refrain from downloading apps from unknown sources, free sites, torrent networks. Pay attention to details and don’t go for the suggested option, opt for Advanced or Custom so you can select the app you want to install and decline suspicious or unwanted programs. In case your Mac device is already infected with this adware, remove AssistiveModule from the machine as soon as possible.

Remove Files and Folders Related to AssistiveModule

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 AssistiveModule 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 AssistiveModule 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 AssistiveModule. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.