How to remove AccessibleDataLookup adware

What is AccessibleDataLookup?

AccessibleDataLookup serves advertisements and changes certain browser settings to promote a fake search engine address. It could also be capable of accessing and recording certain information. In summary, AccessibleDataLookup functions as adware and a browser hijacker.

In most cases, users download and install apps of this type inadvertently and, for this reason, they are categorized as potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). AccessibleDataLookup is distributed through a deceptive installer, supposedly for Adobe Flash Player.

Typically, AccessibleDataLookup and similar apps serve coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups and other types of advertisements. When users click these ads, they often arrive at dubious websites, or it allows the ads to execute certain scripts that cause download/installation of a PUA.

Furthermore, AccessibleDataLookup promotes a fake search engine. These bogus search engines are promoted by assigning a specific address as the homepage, default search engine and new tab, so that users are forced to visit this site when they open a browser, enter search queries into the URL bar, or open a new browser tab.

Fake search engines do not generate unique results (they provide those generated by other, often legitimate, search engines). They can also generate results that include links to untrusted websites. Note that fake search engine addresses can only be removed from browser settings when the browser hijacker (in this case, AccessibleDataLookup) is no longer installed.

Apps such as AccessibleDataLookup can also collect data such as IP addresses, geolocations, addresses of visited pages, entered search queries, and even sensitive information. The developers often misuse the details to generate revenue. For example, they could sell it to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

Users who have apps such as AccessibleDataLookup installed on their browsers and/or operating systems are therefore at potential risk of becoming victims of identity theft, experiencing problems relating to online privacy, browsing safety or other issues. Therefore, never download or install any PUAs.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AccessibleDataLookup
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AD [Trj]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.Rload.5), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/TrojanDownloader.Adload.AE), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Cimpli.l), Full List (VirusTotal).
Additional Information	This application belongs to the Adload malware family.
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

To summarize, AccessibleDataLookup and similar apps generate revenue for the developers by serving ads, promoting fake search engines and gathering user-system information. They are useless for regular users and can cause serious problems. Remove all PUAs from browsers and computers immediately.

Some examples of other apps of this type are NetModuleSearch, WebFunctionSearch and AssistiveDisplaySearch.

How did AccessibleDataLookup install on my computer?

As mentioned, AccessibleDataLookup is distributed through a fake installer for Adobe Flash Player. Third party, fake installers such as this should never be used, since they often distribute and install malware. 

For example, Trojans, ransomware. People often download and install PUAs by clicking deceptive advertisements that execute certain scripts, or together with other programs (when PUAs are included into the download and/or installation set-ups). This latter distribution method is called "bundling".

Typically, offers to download or install included apps can be declined in "Custom", "Advanced" and other settings. Many users fail to check or change these settings, thereby allowing PUAs to infiltrate.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Programs and files should NOT be downloaded through unofficial pages, third party downloaders, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), or other sources of this kind. Also avoid third party, unofficial installers.

Use official pages and direct download links. Check all "Advanced", "Custom" and other settings, and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, unwanted software. Do not click ads that appear on dubious web pages, since they can cause download/installation of unwanted applications, or simply open other, potentially malicious sites.

Remove all unknown, unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with AccessibleDataLookup, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Files related to AccessibleDataLookup adware that need to be removed:

• ~/Library/Application Support/com.AccessibleDataLookup/AccessibleDataLookup
• ~/Library/Application Support/com.AccessibleDataLookupDaemon/AccessibleDataLookup
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.AccessibleDataLookup.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AccessibleDataLookupDaemon.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Rogue setups/apps that promote AccessibleDataLookup adware are designed to create a new device profile. Therefore, before taking any further removal steps, perform these actions:

1) Click the "Preferences" icon in the menu bar and select "Profiles".

2) Select the "AccessibleDataLookup" profile and delete it.

3) Perform a full system scan with Combo Cleaner anti-virus suite.

After performing these actions, you can proceed with further removal steps for this adware/browser hijacker.

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is AccessibleDataLookup?
• STEP 1. Remove AccessibleDataLookup related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove AccessibleDataLookup ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove AccessibleDataLookup adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove AccessibleDataLookup ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove AccessibleDataLookup adware using Combo Cleaner:

AccessibleDataLookup adware removal:

Remove AccessibleDataLookup-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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