How to remove AssistiveTask (Mac)

What is AssistiveTask

AssistiveTask is a type of adware specifically designed for macOS that disrupts users’ browsing experiences by displaying intrusive advertisements. This software often manifests in the form of pop-ups, banners, and in-text ads, making it difficult for users to navigate the web. Beyond just serving ads, AssistiveTask has the capability to collect sensitive information, including browsing history and personally identifiable data, which can be exploited for targeted advertising or sold to third parties. Distribution typically occurs through deceptive means, such as bundled software downloads and shady websites. Users infected with AssistiveTask may notice a decline in their system’s performance and an increase in unwanted redirects to dubious websites. To mitigate the risk of infection, it’s crucial to download software only from trusted sources and remain vigilant during the installation process. Effective removal usually requires the use of professional antivirus tools to ensure that all remnants of the adware are eliminated from the system.

How AssistiveTask infects Mac computers

AssistiveTask primarily infects Macs through deceptive distribution methods that exploit users’ trust in legitimate software. Often bundled with free software downloads, adware like AssistiveTask can be unknowingly installed when users opt for default installation settings, which may obscure the presence of additional unwanted applications. It can also be disseminated via malicious websites that mimic genuine software updates, tricking users into downloading the adware under the guise of necessary updates. Furthermore, users may encounter AssistiveTask through torrent downloads or by engaging with misleading pop-up ads on unreliable sites. Once installed, it integrates itself into the system, altering browser settings and leading to a cascade of intrusive advertisements and potential privacy issues. Awareness and caution during software installation processes are crucial to preventing such infections.

1. Download AssistiveTask Removal Tool
2. Remove AssistiveTask from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall AssistiveTask from Applications
4. Remove AssistiveTask from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove AssistiveTask files and folders
7. Block AssistiveTask ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like AssistiveTask

Remove AssistiveTask manually for free

Note: AssistiveTask sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “AssistiveTask” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: AssistiveTask won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose AssistiveTask in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full AssistiveTask removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of AssistiveTask installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove AssistiveTask from Applications

Remove AssistiveTask from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. AssistiveTask might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall AssistiveTask or AssistiveTask Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag AssistiveTask from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall AssistiveTask

If you can’t uninstall AssistiveTask using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of AssistiveTask. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag AssistiveTask from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with AssistiveTask.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove AssistiveTask add-on from your browsers

Removing AssistiveTask from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the AssistiveTask extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find AssistiveTask extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find AssistiveTask extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose AssistiveTask extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish AssistiveTask removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of AssistiveTask


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.AssistiveTask.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AssistiveTask.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.AssistiveTask.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AssistiveTask.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote AssistiveTask

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting AssistiveTask in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like AssistiveTask

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac