How to remove AccessibleTask (Mac)

What is AccessibleTask

AccessibleTask (AccessibleTaskd) is an unwanted/rogue application that runs browser changes similar to adware and browser hijackers on Mac. Adware is a type of software promoting excessively intrusive advertisements, banners, and coupons of various sorts. Most of the time they are considered suspicious or even dangerous as they can lead to malicious pages. Browser hijackers usually act as a great addition to adware. Cybercriminals use them to replace original with fake search engines meant to generate illegal traffic. Although AccessibleTask assigns its own engine, it still redirects users to legitimate search.yahoo.com. In this case, AccessibleTask acts as an intermediary engine meant to falsify visits. By doing so, developers make sure they are gaining money on ostensibly genuine traffic. On top of that, applications that have browser hijacker or adware abilities might scan your browser for sensitive data like passwords, geolocations, IP addresses, and other types of personal intel. Unfortunately, this information can be eventually abused to earn even more money on darknet markets. The presence of AccessibleTask may provoke identity threats, which is why it is advised to delete it as soon as possible. Follow our guide below to do it.

How AccessibleTask infected your computer

Most developers of unwanted software negotiate with freeware website holders to pack their programs into other installers. Simply said, Potentially Unwanted Programs are usually distributed along with other programs. The list of risky software usually covers pirated, cracked, or free software that is published on third-party resources. Whilst a lot of people download such programs to bypass the limitations of licensed apps, not many avoid the installation of adware. This is because most users skip through the entire setup until they install the intended program. Sadly, due to hastily and unattentive behavior, people end up infected with unwanted programs. To prevent this, it is important to check such installations for “Advanced”, “Custom”, or similar sections that offer to select promotional offers. These offers are often presented as something helpful, however, this can be a trick meant to cover unwanted programs. Bundling is quite a popular practice also used by legitimate companies to advertise other software. However, it is important to be more aware whilst downloading programs from third-party resources as they are more likely to harm your system.

Remove AccessibleTask manually for free

Note: AccessibleTask sets up to start on Mac OS 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 “AccessibleTask” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

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

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

Remove AccessibleTask from Applications

Remove AccessibleTask from Mac:

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

Cannot uninstall AccessibleTask

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

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

Remove AccessibleTask add-on from your browsers

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

Reset browser settings

To finish AccessibleTask 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 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 AccessibleTask


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


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

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 AccessibleTask in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like AccessibleTask

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