RecognitionAssist is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) belonging to the Adware category. Adware is type of malicious software that can cause issues for your Apple Mac. It can generate numerous additional pop-up, banner, pop-under and in-text link advertisements flooding on your web-browser; collect your confidential information like login details, online searches, etc; run in the background and drag down your MAC running speed; give more chances for other adware software, potentially unwanted apps even malware to get on your MAC system.
Unwanted ads
Even worse, RecognitionAssist can analyze the location and which Net web-pages you visit, and then present advertisements to the types of content, goods or services featured there. Adware creators can gather and sell your browsing information and behavior to third parties.
If you are unfortunate have adware, you can follow the few simple steps below that will allow you to remove adware and thus delete RecognitionAssist from your web browser.
How does the RecognitionAssist adware get on your MAC system
Adware software come bundled with certain free applications. So always read carefully the install screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install procedure. Additionally pay attention for bundled programs which are being installed along with the main application. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, run an ad-blocking program that will allow to stop malicious and untrustworthy web sites.
Threat Summary
| Name | RecognitionAssist, Recognition Assist 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up ads, pop up virus, pop ups |
| Symptoms |
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| Removal | RecognitionAssist removal guide |
How to Remove RecognitionAssist (removal instructions)
To remove RecognitionAssist from your MAC OS, you must remove all suspicious applications and every file that could be related to the adware. Besides, to restore your browser home page, search provider and newtab, you should reset the infected internet browsers. As soon as you’re done with RecognitionAssist adware removal process, we recommend you scan your Apple Mac with malicious software removal tools listed below. It’ll complete the removal process on your Apple Mac.
To remove RecognitionAssist, execute the steps below:
- How to manually delete RecognitionAssist
- Automatic Removal of RecognitionAssist adware
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to manually delete RecognitionAssist
The most common adware can be deleted manually, without the use of anti-virus or other removal tools. The manual steps below will show you how to remove RecognitionAssist adware software step by step. Although each of the steps is easy and does not require special knowledge, but you doubt that you can complete them, then use the free utilities, a list of which is given below.
Remove RecognitionAssist related programs through the Finder
Some of PUPs, adware and hijacker infections can be uninstalled using the ‘Move to Trash’ utility which is located in the Finder. So, if you’re using any version of Apple Mac and you have noticed an unwanted program, then first try to remove it through the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will open a list of all programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the all list, and delete any questionable and unknown programs. Right click to dubious program and select “Move to Trash”. Another way is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Get rid of RecognitionAssist from Safari
By resetting Safari web-browser you revert back your web-browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by RecognitionAssist .
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious addons on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Remove RecognitionAssist from Mozilla Firefox by resetting browser settings
If your Firefox web browser is hijacked by RecognitionAssist or an unknown search engine opens results for your search, then it may be time to perform the web browser reset. It will save your personal information such as saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
Click the Menu button (looks like three horizontal lines), and click the blue Help icon located at the bottom of the drop down menu as shown in the following example.
A small menu will appear, click the “Troubleshooting Information”. On this page, press “Refresh Firefox” button as displayed on the image below.
Follow the onscreen procedure to return your Mozilla Firefox browser settings to their original settings.
Remove RecognitionAssist adware from Chrome
If adware, other program or extensions changed your Google Chrome settings without your knowledge, then you can delete RecognitionAssist ads and restore your browser settings in Chrome at any time. It will save your personal information such as saved passwords, bookmarks, auto-fill data and open tabs.
- First, run the Chrome and press the Menu icon (icon in the form of three dots).
- It will open the Chrome main menu. Select More Tools, then press Extensions.
- You’ll see the list of installed extensions. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
- Now open the Chrome menu once again, click the “Settings” menu.
- Next, click “Advanced” link, that located at the bottom of the Settings page.
- On the bottom of the “Advanced settings” page, press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
- The Chrome will open the reset settings prompt as on the image above.
- Confirm the browser’s reset by clicking on the “Reset” button.
- To learn more, read the post How to reset Google Chrome settings to default.
Automatic Removal of RecognitionAssist adware
Is your Apple Mac MAC system infected with adware software? Then don’t worry, in the following guidance, we’re sharing best malicious software removal tools that can be used to remove RecognitionAssist ads from the Firefox, Safari and Chrome and your computer.
Use MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) to remove RecognitionAssist
If you’re still having problems with the RecognitionAssist removal or just wish to scan your MAC system occasionally for adware and other malicious software, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). It is free for home use, and finds and deletes various undesired apps that attacks your Apple Mac or degrades computer performance. MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) can remove hijacker, adware, PUPs as well as malware, including ransomware and trojans.
MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link.
20851 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
Once the download is done, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Free tool will begin scanning the whole machine to find out the RecognitionAssist adware. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes tool is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as being infected by malware. Next, you need to click “Remove Selected Items” button.
The MalwareBytes is a free program that you can use to remove all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.
How to stay safe online
Running an ad-blocking application such as AdGuard is an effective way to alleviate the risks. Additionally, ad-blocking programs will also protect you from harmful ads and web-pages, and, of course, stop redirection chain to misleading and similar web-sites.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard from the link below.
3687 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
Once the download is done, run the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.
Each time, when you run your computer, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block harmful or misleading web sites.
To sum up
Now your computer should be clean of the RecognitionAssist adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC for new adwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you stop undesired ads and harmful websites). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.
If you need more help with RecognitionAssist related issues, go to here.
