How to remove AssistiveFile adware from your operating system

What is AssistiveFile?

AssistiveFile is a rogue application classified as adware, which also has browser hijacker characteristics. Following successful infiltration, it delivers intrusive ad campaigns and makes alterations to browser settings to promote fake search engines. Adware and browser hijackers typically have data tracking capabilities, which are used to monitor users' browsing activity.

Due to the dubious techniques employed to proliferate AssistiveFile, it is classified as a Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA).

Adware delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons, surveys, full-page and other intrusive advertisements. These seriously diminish the browsing experience, since they overlay web page content and reduce browsing speed. Furthermore, intrusive ads are dangerous.

Once clicked, these ads redirect to various untrusted/malicious sites and some can even stealthily download/install rogue software (e.g. PUAs). Browser hijackers operate by assigning the addresses of fake search engines as the homepage, default search engine and new tab/window URLs.

These seemingly minor modifications affect the browsing experience, as each search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened, redirects to the address of the promoted search engine.

Rogue search engines are usually unable to provide unique results, and so they redirect to Google, Bing, Yahoo and other genuine search engines, Additionally, most browser hijackers can reset any changes users attempt to make to their browsers, if they permit access to the browser settings in the first place.

As mentioned, most PUAs (adware and browser hijackers included) can track data. They can monitor browsing activity (URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries typed, etc.) and gather personal information extracted from it (IP addresses, geolocations and other details).

This sensitive data is then shared with and/or sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals). Therefore, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, financial loss, serious privacy issues and even identity theft.

To ensure device integrity and user safety, all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins must be eliminated without delay.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AssistiveFile
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Additional Information	This application belongs to 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.

AdjustableProduct, OperativeState and BoostCoordinator are some examples of other adware-type apps. They may seem legitimate and offer a wide variety of "useful" functionality, however, the features promised rarely work. In fact, this information is true of most PUAs.

The sole purpose of this unwanted software is to generate revenue for the developers. Therefore, rather than delivering any real value, PUAs can run intrusive advertisement campaigns, hijack browsers, cause redirects and gather private information.

How did AssistiveFile install on my computer?

PUAs are often downloaded/installed together with other products. This deceptive marketing technique of pre-packing regular software with unwanted or malicious additions is called "bundling".

By rushing through download/installation (e.g. ignoring terms, skipping steps and sections, using "Quick/Express" settings, etc.), many users risk unintentionally allowing bundled content into their devices. Intrusive advertisements proliferate PUAs as well.

When clicked, the ads can execute scripts to download/install these applications without users' permission. Some PUAs have "official" download web pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

You are advised to research all software before download/installation and/or purchase. All downloads should be done from official and verified sources, since untrusted channels such as unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders commonly offer deceptive and bundled content.

When downloading/installing, read the terms, explore all possible options, use the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings and opt-out of additional apps, tools, features, etc. Intrusive ads may seem legitimate and harmless, however, they can redirect to dubious web pages (e.g. gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

If you encounter these ads or redirects, inspect the system and remove all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately. If your computer is already infected with AssistiveFile, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Pop-up window displayed once AssistiveFile adware installation is complete:

AssistiveFile adware installation folder:

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

Video showing how to remove AssistiveFile adware using Combo Cleaner:

AssistiveFile adware removal:

Remove AssistiveFile-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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