Remove AssistiveUnit Adware From Mac OS

Simple Steps To Delete AssistiveUnit From PC

AssistiveUnit is a type of potentially unwanted application that mainly targets Mac computers and causes various hazardous issues inside upon getting installed. This perilous adware tends to make unexpected changes to browser settings and promote akamaihd.net- a fake search engine through Safe Finder. Like most bogus add-ons, this nasty PUP also claims that it enhances Mac user’s online browsing experience by leaping the performance of online searches. The main objective of con artists behind creating this adware infection is to generate online profits by taking advantage of the infected web browser and deceiving users.

Depth Analysis Of AssistiveUnit:

Soon after AssistiveUnit app gets installed on the Mac PCs, it targets internet browsers including Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. There will be various unnecessary modifications executed that would replace the default settings of homepage, search engine and new tab. Changes made on the browser are required for the complete operation of this adware. In fact, it aims on entirely dominating the browser application during its existence. The changes may also give way for the exhibition of intrusive advertisements like pop-ups, banners, deals, and push notifications.

People behind AssistiveUnit are taking benefit of the current browser condition to generate online revenues. Ads delivered by this PUA are too annoying and usually redirect the browser to infectious sites that causes additional infections. Like many other unwanted programs, it can also track users’ online activities such as visited URLs, searched queries, viewed pages, etc. and gather personal information like IP addresses, geolocations and so on. This vulnerable data is usually monetized by being sold to third parties. Therefore, presence of AssistiveUnit on PCs can result in system infections, financial losses, severe privacy issues and even identity theft.

This perilous adware displays fake update notifications, security alerts, error messages etc. and tries to make people fool into installing rogue application. It keeps performing malevolent acts in the background all the time which consumes enormous amount of CPU resources and drags down the overall computer performance severely. To protect system integrity and user safety, it is necessary to perform an instant removal of AssistiveUnit from the Mac computer.

Summarize Information

Name: AssistiveUnit

Type: Mac virus, Adware, Potentially unwanted program

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

Symptoms: Tons of annoying ads, Altered default Internet search engine, default browser’s settings, 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), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites.

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

How Does This PUP Enter Your Device?

These potentially unwanted applications can be downloaded and installed along with other programs that are available to download for free over the web. “Bundling” is the term used to describe this illusive marketing technique of packing regular software with malevolent additions. By carelessly performing download/installation processes e.g. by ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using pre-set options, etc., you allow bundled content into your Mac devices by accident. This pernicious adware have “official” download sites from where it can be downloaded. Annoying adverts can infiltrate these programs into the PCs as well. As soon as users click on them, they execute scripts to download and install AssistiveUnit or other PUAs without users’ permission.

Tips To Prevent Adware Intrusion:

It is recommended to research all products to verify their legitimacy, before downloading and installing them. Use only official and trustworthy download channels to download the software. Avoid unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (BitTorrent, eMule, Gnutella, etc.) and other third party downloaders as they usually offer bundled content. When downloading/installing, it is advised to read terms, explore all available options, use the “Custom” or “Advanced” settings and reject all the components that give a concerning look. Deceptive ads appear ordinary and inoffensive, however, they redirect to dangerous websites. In case you are already infected with this infection, you must remove AssistiveUnit from the Mac system.

Remove Files and Folders Related to AssistiveUnit

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