Is your Mac affected by AccessibleTask? Read this guide! It will help you understand how it works and how to remove it.
What Is AccessibleTask Mac
AccessibleTask is the name of an app for Mac that may be responsible for multiple kinds of advertisements that could start to show up on your Mac.
These kinds of programs are mainly designed to profit from advertisements, like pop-ups, push notifications, banners, and others they may present on your browsers after modifying their settings. This is done with the help of the so-called pay-per-click and other schemes. The main problem with that is AccessibleTask could be leading you to dangerous sites as most of the ads that are displayed often are unchecked and unverified.
This is why AccessibleTask is considered indirect risk and its removal from your Mac is reccomended.
AccessibleTask Summary
| Name | AccessibleTask |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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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AccessibleTask Mac Redirect Activity Report
AccessibleTask is regarded as an ad-supported application for Mac. It is very similar by name and code to other such apps we have recently seen to appear on Macs, like Make Changes, CrushArcade and MapsWorldSearch. These apps often get in your Mac with the aid of software bundling and other such means. If bundled, you could encounter AccessibleTask to be hidden in one of the install steps of the “Custom Install” mode where it is often portrayed as a “free extra” or “optional offer” added to the current installation.
If active on your Mac, then AccessibleTask could start to change various settings of your web browsers and your macOS, including the default new tab, home page, and other such pages. The main problem related to this is that it could result in tons of ads to begin appearing on your Mac, including:
- Third-party site redirects.
- Ads that show up instead of search results.
- Web banners.
- Push promotion pop-ups.
- Browser pop-up ads.
- Highlighted text ads.
One of the main issues with those ads is they could lead to sites that may drop small files on your Mac, known as trackers. These include cookies, pixels, tags, geo-locators and others and may stay for years of time if not deleted from your Mac. They can be utilised to obtain the following details from your macOS and browsers:
- Which pages you have visited.
- Your browsing history.
- Where you have clicked online and what your mouse movements are.
- Sites that are bookmarked.
- Your search history.
But the main danger that is related to this software is that the ads it may display on your Mac could be dangerous for it in the sense that they could lead to problematic websites, including:
- Fake surveys.
- Fake or phishing sites.
- Fraud websites.
- Fake software download sites.
- Endless redirect schemes.
- Viruses and other malware.
- Fake tech support scams.
This is why AccessibleTask is an app that should quickly be removed from your Mac, before it causes any extra problems.
Remove AccessibleTask from Your Device
AccessibleTask can be removed effectively from your Mac and the web browsers in it if you follow the removal guide that has been posted underneath this article. This guide has been created with the main purpose to best help you to get rid of AccessibleTask from both your web browsers and your macOS. For the best removal, it is strongly recommended that you download and run a scan of your Mac using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program has been made to effectively detect and remove any malware or adware that may be currently present on your Mac.
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 AccessibleTask files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AccessibleTask, 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 AccessibleTask 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 AccessibleTask:
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 AccessibleTask. 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 AccessibleTask. 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 AccessibleTask 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 AccessibleTask. 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 AccessibleTask – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AccessibleTask-FAQ
What is AccessibleTask on your Mac?
The AccessibleTask 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 AccessibleTask?
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 AccessibleTask?
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 AccessibleTask Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AccessibleTask 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 AccessibleTask?
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 AccessibleTask threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.