What is AssistiveModule Mac?
How to eliminate ads coming from AssistiveModule? Exactly to remove all files that are AssistiveModule-related your Mac?
AssistiveModule is the true name of an adware network that will display all types of advertisements on your Mac. The theory is that AssistiveModule advertisements virus is always to display all types of adverts on your Mac. These ads may lead to sites that will be outright dangerous to your Mac. Read this article to learn how to spot and remove AssistiveModule software from your Mac.
Threat Summary
| Name | AssistiveModule |
| Type | Adware/ PUP |
| Brief Description | AssistiveModule can be an ad-network which could take your browser over to show third-party ads with the goal to come up with profit via pay-per-click URLs. |
| Symptoms | You might begin to see all types of redirects, pop-ups and other kinds of ads which will lead to undesirable or virus internet sites. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled packages. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See if the System happens to be Affected by AssistiveModule
Down Load
Malware Removal Tool
|
User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AssistiveModule. |
AssistiveModule Virus – What Does It Do?
AssistiveModule may be the name of a browser hijacking software, that aims to hijack your web browser and then start to display advertisements on your Mac. The ads which will be shown as a result of AssistiveModule being added to your Mac could be of the following types:
- Pop-ups.
- Online banners.
- Browser redirections.
- Push notifications advertisements.
- Online search result ads.
These advertisements may hide a large amount of different kinds of threats on your own Mac. Such could turn out to be:
- Phishing pages that could pretend to function as the login pages of Facebook, Instagram, Gmail, etc. Their main goal nevertheless is always to hijack your username and password.
- Scam sites that may display a website, whose idea is primarily to trick you that there is actually a problem with your Mac and also you must call a scammers’ phone number.
- Virus websites that may directly infect your Mac with malware that is dangerous.
Remove AssistiveModule from Your Mac
We recommend proceeding with the removal steps underneath this article to help you eliminate the AssistiveModule PUP completely from your Mac. They were created because they aim to help you remove AssistiveModule PUP from your own Mac step by step. Then we strongly suggest that you download and run a scan of your Mac with higher level malware elimination software if you want to eradicate this unwanted app automatically. Such a program can effectively detect and remove all programs from your computer which may be malware or software that is unwanted.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove AssistiveModule files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AssistiveModule, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall AssistiveModule and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to AssistiveModule:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to AssistiveModule. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to AssistiveModule. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove AssistiveModule via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as AssistiveModule. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove AssistiveModule – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AssistiveModule-FAQ
What is AssistiveModule on your Mac?
The AssistiveModule threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like AssistiveModule?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from AssistiveModule?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the AssistiveModule Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AssistiveModule how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on AssistiveModule?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the AssistiveModule threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.