What Is ConsoleAccess?
ConsoleAccess is an undesired program that has been unknowingly installed, resulting in various detrimental outcomes like the display of ads, changes to the browser settings, and the harvesting of user information. This software is categorised as adware and a “Mac virus”.
What Is Adware?
Programs like ConsoleAccess, which focus on Mac users, are classified as adware – a type of software that displays advertisements to generate income for its developers. Usually, this behavior is considered intrusive and unwelcome, leading users to mistakenly label it as a virus, even though it does not actually possess any malicious features.
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ConsoleAccess – Details
| Name | ConsoleAccess |
| Type | Rogue App / PUP / Auto-Downlaod / Redirect for Mac |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your computer in order to get it to cause third-party software downloads and the displaying of different unwanted contents and ads. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac begins to display various types of content, which may even be malicious, which results in slowing down in terms of performance. Auto download of other PUPs may start. |
| Distribution Method | Via mail software. Fake Updates. Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss ConsoleAccess. |
Why Do I See ConsoleAccess On My Mac?
Be careful when interacting with ConsoleAccess, as it is possible to be downloaded unintentionally on a Mac machine. This application could affect the functioning, so it is better to take it off immediately.
ConsoleAccess Virus – How Did I Get Infected
Safeguarding your device from the ConsoleAccess Virus, a damaging software typically distributed via malicious sites, software bundling , malvertising, scareware websites, email add-ons, and more, is imperative. Ignoring this could result in your computer sustaining serious damage.
ConsoleAccess Mac – What Does It Do?
ConsoleAccess can insert toolbars, ads, and other items into your web browser, causing your Mac to become slower and irregular. This is done to get more advertisements viewed, which may include altering your home page, new tab and default search engine. It may also begin to show the following ads:
- Highlighted text on the pages you visit.
- Interruptive banner ads.
- Redirects.
- pop-ups with video and/or sound.
- Changed search results to show ads instead of relevant sites.
- Intrusive and push notifications.
Cookies and other tracking objects utilized by this application could possibly amass a diversity of data, which could include personally identifiable information.
- IP and Mac addresses.
- Your mouse movements.
- The browsing history from your browser.
- What searches you have made.
- Your bookmarked websites.
- What you have visited.
- Your mouse clicks.
- Different personally identifiable information you may type.
Is ConsoleAccess a Mac Virus?
Do not confuse ConsoleAccess adware with a Mac virus, even though it can be downloaded to your device without your say-so. This type of program can slow your Mac down, yet it is not necessarily malevolent.
Can It Be Dangerous?
Mac adware from ConsoleAccess can be extremely hazardous if downloaded unknowingly or unintentionally, since it can keep tabs on a user’s activities, collect confidential data, or even install malevolent software. Moreover, it can redirect users to websites that are not shielded by HTTPS or SSL security protocols, which can be detrimental.
- Survey sites that are fraud.
- Phishing pages.
- Rogue software download sites.
- Tech support fraud pages.
- URLs, containing a virus infection file or script.
- Web pages that contain scams.
- Redirects to dangerous sites via multiple pay-per-click redirects.
How to Protect Your Mac from ConsoleAccess?
Take our guidance to heighten your resistance against hazardous software, like this one.
- Make sure ConsoleAccess is fully removed using professional software.
- Change all your passwords from a safe device.
- Enable two-factor logins.
- Call your bank to change all credit card information if you use your Mac for online payments.
- Change your Wi-Fi password.
- Install a reputable anti-malware protection app on all your devices.
- Do not download apps from unknown sources.
How to Remove ConsoleAccess from Mac?
To protect the Mac from ConsoleAccess adware, use an anti-malware program. Staying up to date with system software and applications, avoiding clicking on suspicious links, and utilizing secure passwords can also decrease the chance of malware.
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 ConsoleAccess files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as ConsoleAccess, 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 ConsoleAccess 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 ConsoleAccess:
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 ConsoleAccess. 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 ConsoleAccess. 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 ConsoleAccess 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 ConsoleAccess. 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 ConsoleAccess – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
ConsoleAccess-FAQ
What is ConsoleAccess on your Mac?
The ConsoleAccess 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 ConsoleAccess?
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 ConsoleAccess?
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 ConsoleAccess Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this ConsoleAccess 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 ConsoleAccess?
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 ConsoleAccess threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.