How to remove PracticalAccess (Mac)

What is PracticalAccess

PracticalAccess is a rogue application identified as adware that poses significant risks to macOS users. Developed as part of the AdLoad malware family, it aims to generate revenue for its creators through intrusive advertising. Typically, this adware displays various forms of advertisements, including pop-ups, banners, and overlays, which can lead to unwanted redirects and exposure to potentially harmful content. Users may experience a decline in system performance, as well as privacy concerns due to the data-tracking functionalities that adware often possesses. Besides generating annoying ads, PracticalAccess can inadvertently facilitate the installation of other malicious software by executing scripts upon interaction with its advertisements. To mitigate these risks, users are advised to employ reliable antivirus solutions and maintain caution while downloading software from the internet. Recognizing and removing PracticalAccess promptly is crucial to preserving the integrity and security of macOS devices.

How PracticalAccess infects Mac computers

PracticalAccess adware primarily infects Mac systems through deceptive distribution methods that exploit user behavior and vulnerabilities in software installation procedures. Often, it is bundled with legitimate applications downloaded from unreliable sources, such as torrent sites or third-party download platforms, where users may inadvertently accept the installation of unwanted software by opting for “Quick” or “Easy” installation settings. Additionally, users may encounter intrusive pop-up ads or malicious links that redirect them to fraudulent websites, which can also trigger the download of PracticalAccess without their explicit consent. Once installed, this adware begins to display unwanted advertisements and can collect sensitive user data, posing significant privacy risks. The key to avoiding such infections is to practice caution while downloading software, ensuring that installations are performed from official and reputable sources, and carefully reviewing any additional components during the setup process. By remaining vigilant and informed about potential threats, users can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to PracticalAccess and similar adware.

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

Remove PracticalAccess manually for free

Note: PracticalAccess 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 “PracticalAccess” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: PracticalAccess 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 PracticalAccess in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

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

Remove PracticalAccess from Applications

Remove PracticalAccess from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall PracticalAccess

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

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

Remove PracticalAccess add-on from your browsers

Removing PracticalAccess 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 PracticalAccess 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 PracticalAccess 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 PracticalAccess 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 PracticalAccess extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish PracticalAccess 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 PracticalAccess


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


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

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 PracticalAccess in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like PracticalAccess

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