How to remove AssistiveModule adware

What is AssistiveModule?

The AssistiveModule application generates revenue for its developers by feeding users with various advertisements. Adware-type apps also track and record information, and this might also include AssistiveModule. In some cases, adware promotes fake search engine addresses by changing certain browser settings.

Commonly, users download and install apps such as AssistiveModule unintentionally and, for this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs).

After installation, apps such as AssistiveModule start to regularly display advertisements. For example, coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and others. Note that adware can display ads designed to promote (open) dubious websites or even execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted software.

Furthermore, AssistiveModule might collect browsing data (e.g., IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations), and sensitive information. Developers could misuse the data to generate revenue in various ways. For example, they could sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

Apps such as AssistiveModule might function as browser hijackers by changing settings (such as address of the default search engine, homepage, and new tab) to the address of a fake search engine. In this way, users are forced to visit this URL when they open a browser, new tab, or enter search queries into the URL bar.

Browser hijackers prevent users from removing bogus addresses from browser settings, unless they are uninstalled.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AssistiveModule
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Additional Information	This application belongs to Adload malware family.
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

In summary, installation of AssistiveModule can result in other unwanted downloads and installations, problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety, and even identity theft. Therefore, do not trust (download or install) apps of this type. More examples of adware-type apps are FieldIndexer, OperativeDevice and SkilledOrigin.

How did AssistiveModule install on my computer?

Commonly, PUAs are distributed using a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". More precisely, by including unwanted apps into the download and installation set-ups of other programs as 'additional offers'. Typically, those offers can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" or other settings.

Many users download and install their programs without changing these settings, thereby agreeing with offers to download and install PUAs. Unwanted downloads and installations are also caused by clicking deceptive ads, that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Do not click advertisements that are displayed on gambling, adult dating, pornography and other dubious websites. Commonly, these open untrusted web pages and, in some cases, cause download/installation of unwanted applications. Files and programs should be downloaded from trustworthy, official pages and via direct links.

It is not safe to use third party downloaders, installers torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks) unofficial, dubious websites, and other sources, channels to download or install software. Check "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings of the set-ups before completing the process.

Decline offers to download or install additionally-included applications. Remove any suspicious, unknown, unwanted add-ons, extensions and plug-ins installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the computer.

If your computer is already infected with AssistiveModule, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once AssistiveModule installation is complete:

AssistiveModule installation folder:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is AssistiveModule?
• STEP 1. Remove AssistiveModule related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove AssistiveModule ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove AssistiveModule adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove AssistiveModule ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove AssistiveModule adware using Combo Cleaner:

AssistiveModule adware removal:

Remove AssistiveModule-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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