What Is AccessibleEngineSearch
AccessibleEngineSearch is the kind of application that may appear on your Mac as if it is a legitimate software of some form. The main idea of apps, like this one is to show different ads that may not only slow your Mac down but could also end up leading you to some very dangerous websites, such as viruses or scam ones.
The main reason for that is AccessibleEngineSearch could show ads for profit without allowing thorough checkups of the content being advertised, making it indirectly dangerous for your Mac.
Read this article to learn more about AccessibleEngineSearch and how you can get rid of it from your Mac completely.
AccessibleEngineSearch Summary
| Name | AccessibleEngineSearch |
| 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 |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by AccessibleEngineSearch
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AccessibleEngineSearch. |
AccessibleEngineSearch Mac Redirect Activity Report
AccessibleEngineSearch is classified as unwanted app for Mac and is very similar to other Mac adware we have seen, like InstaQuick, BoostConsole and StateProgress.
AccessibleEngineSearch may be added to your Mac as a result of software bundling and some other kind of methods. If bundled, you could encounter this software to be promoted as a “free extra” or an “optional offer” that is included somewhere in the installation steps of other kinds of applications downloaded from the web. Such applications include free media players, file converter apps and others.
Once AccessibleEngineSearch is installed on your Mac, it may start to alter its home page, new tab page, default search and other settings and aspects of your browser. This is done so that you may start to see the following ads:
- Browser pop-ups.
- Third-party redirections.
- Banners shown on the sites you visit.
- Push notification promotions.
- Search results advertisements.
- Ads on highlighted text.
AccessibleEngineSearch may also employ trackers – small objects dropped on your Mac and used to gather information so that this software can show targeted ads. These trackers include pixels, tags, geo-locators, cookies and other such objects, that are designed to obtain the following information from your browser:
- What you have searched for.
- The last pages you checked.
- Browsing history.
- Where you type, click and do on your browser.
- Favourite websites visited most often.
AccessibleEngineSearch is problematic for your Mac mainly because of the ads shown by it. These ads could often lead to the following dangerous websites:
- Scam domains.
- Sites that offer rogue and hoax software download.
- Schemes that perform tons of redirects to suspicious pages.
- Fake survey advertisements.
- Phishing web pages.
- Viruses plus other kinds of malicious software.
- Tech Support scam sites.
This is the main reason why AccessibleEngineSearch is classified as dangerous for your Mac and should be removed from it.
Remove AccessibleEngineSearch from Your Device
In order to best remove AccessibleEngineSearch from your Mac, we would strongly advise that you follow the removal steps that have been posted underneath this article. These steps have been designed to provide you with the actions it takes to remove AccessibleEngineSearch from your browsers and macOS altogether. For the most effective removal, experts often recommend that you scan your Mac using advanced anti-malware software. Such a program has been created with the main purpose to best assist you in deleting AccessibleEngineSearch from your Mac along with all of its trackers and files automatically.
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 AccessibleEngineSearch files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AccessibleEngineSearch, 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 AccessibleEngineSearch 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 AccessibleEngineSearch:
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 AccessibleEngineSearch. 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 AccessibleEngineSearch. 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 AccessibleEngineSearch 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 AccessibleEngineSearch. 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 AccessibleEngineSearch – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AccessibleEngineSearch-FAQ
What is AccessibleEngineSearch on your Mac?
The AccessibleEngineSearch 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 AccessibleEngineSearch?
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 AccessibleEngineSearch?
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 AccessibleEngineSearch Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AccessibleEngineSearch 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 AccessibleEngineSearch?
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 AccessibleEngineSearch threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.