What Is AccessibleSearchEngine
AccessibleSearchEngine is the name of a dangerous Mac adware that has been classified as an indirectly risky app and may cause multiple problems for your Mac once it is installed on it. The main reason because of which AccessibleSearchEngine could be a possible risk is very likely that this app may heavily modify your web browsers with the primary purpose to get users to see different third-party ads only for profit. The main reason this is done is likely to make the people behind these adware apps wealthy. And they do not have any regards as to what websites you see on these ads. This is how you may end up visiting dangerous web pages, like scam or virus sites.
AccessibleSearchEngine Summary
| Name | AccessibleSearchEngine |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AccessibleSearchEngine. |
AccessibleSearchEngine – More Information
AccessibleSearchEngine is an app that is classified as a potentially unwanted. It is very similar to other such unwanted software we have recently seen for Mac, such as History Grabber, ExtensionInstallForcelist and PrimaryProcesser.
These applications may all end up on your Mac via the same method and that is if they get installed alongside the setup of another free software, like a media player, program downloader, file converter and other such freeware. The way these scheme works is often the installers of these apps include software from the likes of AccessibleSearchEngine to be added automatically as an optional offer or a free extra. You can spot such apps in the install steps of the “Custom” or “Advanced” installer and users often tend to click on the “Express Install” option.
Once the AccessibleSearchEngine is installed on your computer, its main purpose of activity could be to heavily modify your web browsers with the primary goal of showing. you multiple different types of ads. These ads could end up being the following:
- Browser pop-ups.
- Redirects and transfers to third-party sites.
- Ads appearing instead of search results.
- Text-embedded advertisements.
- Banner adverts.
- Push notifications promotions.
The advertisements that are displayed by this nasty application could also include tracking objects that may be used to obtain different kinds of details concerning your online activity. These objects may include:
- Cookies.
- Tags.
- Pixels.
- Geo-location trackers.
- LSOs (Locally Shared Objects, also known as flash cookies).
The tracking objects shown by AccessibleSearchEngine’s ads may be used to obtain the following information from your Mac’s browsers:
- Pages visited.
- Your clicks made online.
- Bookmarked sites.
- Browser history.
But this is not the primary risk that is associated with AccessibleSearchEngine as the ads it displays are purely shown for profit. This is often how unsuspecting victims may end up being led to dangerous websites from the following kinds:
- Phishing or “Fake” sites.
- Scamming sites.
- Virus domains.
- Tech support scams.
- Rogue software download frauds.
- Endless redirect loop schemes.
- Scam surveys.
This is the main reason why AccessibleSearchEngine is considered an indirect risk and experts do advise removing it from your Mac.
Remove AccessibleSearchEngine from Your Device
AccessibleSearchEngine can be removed from your Mac if you make sure to follow the removal guide we have posted beneath this article. It has been created with the primary purpose to get you to visit different types of unwanted sites. The steps below will help you erase it from both your browsers and your Mac. For best removal, security experts often recommend removing AccessibleSearchEngine using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program has been created with the main purpose to help you delete all of the files of any adware or malware on your Mac automatically by scanning your Mac extensively.
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.
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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 AccessibleSearchEngine files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AccessibleSearchEngine, 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 AccessibleSearchEngine 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 AccessibleSearchEngine:
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 AccessibleSearchEngine. 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 AccessibleSearchEngine. 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 AccessibleSearchEngine 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 AccessibleSearchEngine. 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 AccessibleSearchEngine – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AccessibleSearchEngine-FAQ
What is AccessibleSearchEngine on your Mac?
The AccessibleSearchEngine 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 AccessibleSearchEngine?
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 AccessibleSearchEngine?
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 AccessibleSearchEngine Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AccessibleSearchEngine 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 AccessibleSearchEngine?
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 AccessibleSearchEngine threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.