What Is AssistiveMode on Mac?
AssistiveMode is a program that belongs to the Mac viruses category of threats. This software is somehow dangerous for Mac machines because of its ad-supported operating model. Developers of AssistiveMode have created the app with the main idea to present affected users with different advertisements. For this purpose, when AssistiveMode runs on your Mac, it affects installed browsers and begins to display various types of adverts during online browsing sessions. Such an irritating impact caused by AssistiveMode adware enables it to generate profit from the ads it shows. The pay-per-click as well as other similar schemes may support its activity.
Read this article to learn how to remove AssistiveMode from your Mac and how to clean affected web browsers.
AssistiveMode Mac Summary
| Name | AssistiveMode |
| Type | Adware / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| Short Description | Aims to modify specific settings on installed web browsers in order to force them to open browser redirects and display different adverts. |
| 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 advertise it. Fake software updates. |
| Detection Tool |
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AssistiveMode Mac Adware – More Information
AssistiveMode is a potentially unwanted program that has recently been discovered by security researchers. The program is classified as unwanted software due to the fact that it may appear on your Mac without your knowledge. There are quite a lot of other similar apps such as PDFcreate, ExpandedActivity, and SkilledRecord.
AssistiveMode is also categorized as adware or ad-supported software. How it may land on your Mac is as part of a software bundle. The installers of a variety of supposedly useful free apps feature extra apps that may appear as “free extras”. The latter tend to get installed by default by the installer. How you can try to stop this process is by visiting the Advanced/Custom configuration step that displays more information about all installer elements.
The moment AssistiveMode adware runs on your Mac, it may contaminate the settings of installed web browsers. The goal of all unwanted modifications is to enable AssistiveMode to show the following advertisements:
- Browser pop-up ads.
- Push promotion pop-ups.
- Third-party site redirects.
- Web banners.
- Highlighted text ads.
- Ads that show up instead of search results.
Another imact which AssistiveMode adware may cause is the activation of cookies, tags, web beacons, pixels and other tracking scripts. By using the help of these scripts, the program can collect different information from the affected Mac machine:
- All search queries.
- Websites and pages you have visited.
- Browsing history details.
- Clicks you have made and mouse movements.
- Bookmarked sites.
The bad news is that AssistiveMode adware may also present you with nasty virus sites by showing all the annoying ads. The advertisers who run their campaigns via bogus apps like AssistiveMode may use the approach to promote rogue apps, online scams, and malicious software. So, ads by adware are often unreliable.
Since apps, like AssistiveMode, are regarded as potentially unsafe, they should be removed from macOS as soon as their presence is detected.
Remove AssistiveMode Mac Virus from Your Device
For the removal of AssistiveMode from your Mac, you could follow the removal guide posted beneath this article. It has been created with the main goal to help you to delete the adware from your Mac. You can do it either by yourself or automatically. The easiest way to get rid of this unwanted program is to run an automatic scan with advanced anti-malware software.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online 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 AssistiveMode Adware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as AssistiveMode Adware, 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 AssistiveMode Adware 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 AssistiveMode Adware:
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 AssistiveMode Adware. 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 AssistiveMode Adware. 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 AssistiveMode Adware 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 AssistiveMode Adware. 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 AssistiveMode Adware – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
AssistiveMode Adware-FAQ
What is AssistiveMode Adware on your Mac?
The AssistiveMode Adware 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 AssistiveMode Adware?
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 AssistiveMode Adware?
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 AssistiveMode Adware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this AssistiveMode Adware 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 AssistiveMode Adware?
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 AssistiveMode Adware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.