How to uninstall AssistiveValue app/extension from Mac

What is AssistiveValue

AssistiveValue is supposed to be an app that will improve the browsing experience, but it is adware. Adware is form of malware developed to insert ads into your Web browsing or even desktop experience. Adware can be created to modify your startpage, search provider, search results, or even add toolbars to your internet browser. Adware software run in the background when surf the World Wide Web, and adware software can slow down your MAC and affect its performance.

Does adware steal your privacy information? Adware may monetize its functionality by collecting privacy information from your browsing sessions. This sensitive information, subsequently, can be easily transferred to third parties. This puts your personal information at a security risk.

If you are unfortunate have adware or malware running on your computer, you can follow the suggestions here to delete AssistiveValue from your computer and internet browser.

How does AssistiveValue get on your MAC system

Adware software usually spreads along with free applications and installs itself, with or without your knowledge, on your MAC. This happens especially when you are installing free applications. The application installation package tricks you into accepting the installation of optional software, that you don’t really want. Moreover, some paid apps can also install bundled apps which you don’t want! Therefore, always download free software and paid software from reputable download web pages. Use ONLY custom or manual install method and never blindly click Next button.

Threat Summary

Name	AssistiveValue, AssistiveValue 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), popups, popup ads, popup virus
Symptoms	unclosable window appear and recommend fake security software when you go to a website, you’re periodically redirected to another web-site that you do not intend to visit unwanted programs installed without your consent an unexpected toolbar appears in your browser your web browser home page has replaced and you are unable to modify it back low ping but slow Internet your computer starts performing very slowly
Removal	AssistiveValue removal guide

How to remove AssistiveValue adware

According to security professionals, AssistiveValue adware removal can be finished manually and/or automatically. These tools which are listed below will help you get rid of adware, harmful web browser add-ons, malware and potentially unwanted apps . However, if you are not willing to install other apps to get rid of AssistiveValue ads, then use following tutorial to restore your Apple Mac settings to their previous states.

To remove AssistiveValue, execute the following steps:

1. Remove profiles created by AssistiveValue
2. Check the list of installed software
3. Remove AssistiveValue related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove AssistiveValue from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove profiles created by AssistiveValue

AssistiveValue can make changes to the Mac system such as malicious changes to browser settings, and the addition of malicious system profiles. You need to check the system preferences, find and remove malicious profiles and ensure your settings are as you expect.

Click Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, select Profiles. if there is no Profiles in the list of preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on the Mac device. If there is Profiles in the list, then click on it, then select a profile associated with AssistiveValue.

To delete a malicious profile, click on the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen.

Check the list of installed software

The next step to remove adware, browser hijackers and PUPs is to remove unknown and dubious software. Using the Finder you can do this quickly and easily. We recommend you not to skip this step, as it often helps to get rid of web browser redirects and annoying advertisements.

Make sure you have closed all browsers and other apps. Next, remove any unrequested and suspicious programs from computer using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of applications installed on your Apple Mac. Most likely, one of them is the AssistiveValue adware software. Choose the questionable application or the program that name is not familiar to you and uninstall it.

Drag the suspicious program from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Most important, don’t forget, select Finder -> Empty Trash.

Remove AssistiveValue related files and folders

Now you need to try to find AssistiveValue related files and folders, and then delete them manually. You need to look for these files in certain directories. To quickly open them, we recommend using the “Go to Folder…” command.

Click on the Finder icon. From the menu bar, select Go and click “Go to Folder…”. As a result, a small window opens that allows you to quickly open a specific directory.

Check for AssistiveValue generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchAgents

This will open the contents of the “/Library/LaunchAgents” folder. Look carefully at it and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files: com.machelper.plist, installapp.plist, macsearch.plist, search.plist and AssistiveValue.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware software create several files with similar names.

Check for AssistiveValue generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/Application Support

This will open the contents of the “Application Support” folder. Look carefully at its contents, pay special attention to recently added/changed folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

Check for AssistiveValue generated files in the “~/Library/LaunchAgents” folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
~/Library/LaunchAgents

Proceed in the same way as with the “/Library/LaunchAgents” and “/Library/Application Support” folders. Look for suspicious and recently added files. Move all suspicious files to the Trash.

Check for AssistiveValue generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder

In the “Go to Folder…” window, type the following text and press Go:
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Carefully browse the entire list of files and pay special attention to recently created files, as well as files that have a suspicious name. Move all suspicious files to the Trash. A few examples of files to be deleted: com.machelper.plist, com.search.plist, com.macsearch.plist, com.AssistiveValue.plist and com.installapp.plist. In most cases, PUPs, adware and browser hijackers create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

If you’re still having issues with the AssistiveValue removal or just wish to check your Mac computer occasionally for adware software and other malware, then download MalwareBytes AntiMalware. It is free for home use, and finds and removes various unwanted apps that attacks your MAC or degrades Apple Mac performance. MalwareBytes Free can get rid of browser hijackers, toolbars, adware and potentially unwanted programs as well as malware, including ransomware and trojans.

MalwareBytes can be downloaded from the following link.

After the downloading process is done, run it and follow the prompts. Press the “Scan” button for checking your MAC system for the AssistiveValue . This procedure can take some time, so please be patient. While the utility is scanning, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned. Make sure all items have ‘checkmark’ and press the “Quarantine” button.

The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware is a free program that you can use to delete all detected folders, files, malicious services and so on.

Remove AssistiveValue from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still getting AssistiveValue adware, then you can try to remove it by uninstalling malicious extensions.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right corner, click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three vertical dots. Select ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of AssistiveValue adware by reset Google Chrome settings.	Click on ‘menu’ button and select ‘Add-ons’. Go to ‘Extensions’ tab. To uninstall an add-on, click on ‘Remove’ button next to it. If you are still experiencing problems with AssistiveValue removal, you need to reset Firefox browser.
Safari
On the top menu select ‘Safari’, then ‘Preferences’. Select ‘Extensions’ tab. Select an extension you want to delete and click ‘Uninstall’ button next to it.

How to stay safe online

If you want to remove undesired advertisements, internet browser redirects and popups, then install an ad-blocking program like AdGuard. It can block unwanted ads and pop-ups, stop web pages from tracking your online activities when using the Firefox, Safari and Chrome. So, if you like surf the World Wide Web, but you don’t like unwanted ads and want to protect your MAC from harmful web pages, then the AdGuard is your best choice.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After downloading is finished, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” screen. Follow the prompts.

Each time, when you run your MAC, AdGuard will run automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block harmful and misleading websites.

To sum up

Now your Apple Mac should be clean of the AssistiveValue adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your MAC system for new adwares and other malware) and AdGuard (to help you stop intrusive popups and harmful web-pages). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party software.

If you need more help with AssistiveValue related issues, go to here.