Remove Search.assistivedata.com From Mac

Manual Delete Guide Of Search.assistivedata.com

Search.assistivedata.com is a fake search engine that is disguised as a real one but often provides results powered by Google. These deceptive search tools are usually promoted through browser hijackers. This particular engine is advertised by multiple hijackers one of which is SearchModule. As soon as this potentially unwanted program enters the Mac computers, it makes alterations to default browser’s settings and assigns itself as the new search tool, home page and new tab preferences. PUPs that promote this search engine also add the “Managed by your organization” feature to Google Chrome browser.

More About Search.assistivedata.com:

When you use Search.assistivedata.com as the default search provider, you are presented with misleading results that include sponsored links and commercial contents. People who have this hijacker in their systems will constantly see annoying ads that come in multiple formats such as coupons, offers, banners, discounts, deals etc. These ads work on pay-per-click scheme and each users’ click on them, generates revenues for the developers. We highly advise to avoid interacting with these ads as the generally contain vicious links and redirect you to potentially dangerous sites that are filled with malevolent contents.

Search.assistivedata.com ads are very eye-catching since they are based on victims’ browsing habits. This perilous hijacker inserts tracking cookies on the affected browsers and collects important information regarding their preferences. These details are very helpful for producing target advertisements in order to get as many clicks on them as possible and earn maximum revenues via PPC mechanism. Furthermore, it can also steal your personal data such as credit card and bank details that can be misused by the scammers for generating illicit profits. Search.assistivedata.com drags down the overall computer performance severely as it consumes enormous amount of memory resources and increases the usage of CPU.

The biggest hazard of Search.assistivedata.com lies in its redirecting ability, as people might get rerouted several times and land on a phishing or tech support scam domain. This way, they might be deceived into installing shady application or giving away the money to cyber hackers. Thus, never interact with suspicious content that your browser takes you to. This notorious parasite messes with important system files which assure efficient device functioning and prevents many running apps as well as drivers from working in an appropriate manner. And hence, a quick Search.assistivedata.com removal is what you need to perform as soon as you see this URL as your default search tool.

Quick Glance

Name: Search.assistivedata.com

Type: Mac virus, browser hijacker, Potentially unwanted program

Short Description: Modifies default browser’s settings, displays annoying pop-ups ads, Redirects Mac users to affiliate sites, promotes sponsored products and make online revenues for the creators.

Symptoms: Altered browser’s settings, tons of intrusive adverts, identity theft. 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 is recommended.

Intrusion of Search.assistivedata.com:

Users typically browse online without caution. Such habits often lead to PUP or even more dangerous malware infiltrations and scammer attacks because paying attention to the content they get exposed to, can affect more than they think.

Clicking on malicious pop-up ads, commercial content and redirects can expose you to spiteful material or web pages filled with malware and direct virus downloads. Moreover, ads often deliver extra applications packed with promoted software or tools.

You can avoid potentially unwanted program delivery with software bundles by sleeting Advanced or Custom installations and opting-out the suspicious components from the download list. Also, when you keep a trustworthy antivirus tool on the computer, such adware and hijackers can get blocked before penetrating the system. But at the moment, you must remove Search.assistivedata.com from the computer without wasting any time.

Remove Files and Folders Related to Search.assistivedata.com

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 Search.assistivedata.com 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 Search.assistivedata.com 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 Search.assistivedata.com. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.