How to uninstall ImmersiveTask app/extension from Mac (Virus removal guide)

What is ImmersiveTask

ImmersiveTask is an adware application that targets Apple computers. Adware is type of malicious software that can cause problems for your Mac. It can generate numerous additional pop up, banner, pop-under and in-text link advertisements flooding on your web browser; gather your privacy 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 malicious software to get on your computer.

Another reason why you need to delete ImmersiveTask is its online data-tracking activity. It can gather privacy data, including:

• IP addresses;
• URLs visited;
• search queries/terms;
• clicks on links and ads;
• browser version information.

We recommend to delete ImmersiveTask adware, as soon as you found this issue, as it can redirect your web-browser to web-resources which can load other unwanted apps on your machine.

How does ImmersiveTask get on your computer

Adware can be spread through the use of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but most commonly, adware gets onto MAC computers along with certain freeware. Many makers of free software include bundled applications in their installation package. Sometimes it is possible to avoid the setup of any adware: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced installation type, reject all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free software.

Threat Summary

Name	ImmersiveTask
Type	adware, potentially unwanted program (PUP), Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Adware.MAC.Generic, Adware/Adload!OSX, MacOS.Agent-MT, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Osx.Adware.Cimpli, OSX.Trojan.Gen, ApplicUnwnt and Program:MacOS/Vigram.A
Distribution	Freeware installers, fake updaters, torrent downloads and shady pop-up advertisements
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to dubious web-pages, unexpected ads appear on web-pages that you are visiting, new entries appear in your Applications folder, unexpected toolbars on your desktop, your web browser home page has changed without your permission, fast Internet but slow browsing speeds.
Removal	ImmersiveTask removal guide

How to remove ImmersiveTask from Mac device

If you have constant popups or unwanted ads, slow MAC system, freezing computer problems, you are in need of adware software removal assistance. The step-by-step guidance below will guide you forward to get ImmersiveTask adware software removed and will assist you get your MAC system operating at peak capacity again.

To remove ImmersiveTask, use the steps below:

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

Remove profiles created by ImmersiveTask

ImmersiveTask can install a configuration profile on the Mac system to block changes made to the browser settings. Therefore, you need to open system preferences, find and delete the profile installed by the adware software.

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 ImmersiveTask.

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

Check the list of installed applications

One of the first things to attempt for removal of adware is to check your Mac device installed programs screen and look for unwanted and suspicious software. If there are any apps you do not recognize or are no longer using, you should delete them. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to run malware removal tool like MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Carefully browse through the list of installed apps and get rid of all questionable and unknown apps.

Once you’ve found anything suspicious that may be the ImmersiveTask or other potentially unwanted program, then right click this application and select “Move to Trash”. Once complete, Empty Trash.

Remove ImmersiveTask related files and folders

Now you need to try to find ImmersiveTask 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.

ImmersiveTask creates several files, these files must be found and removed. Below is a list of files associated with this unwanted program.

• /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.ImmersiveTask.system.plist
• ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.ImmersiveTask.service.plist
• /Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/System/com.ImmersiveTask.system
• ~/Library/Application Support/.(RANDOM)/Services/com.ImmersiveTask.service.app

Some files created by ImmersiveTask are hidden from the user. To find and delete them, you need to enable “show hidden files”. To do this, use the shortcut CMD + SHIFT + . Press once to show hidden files and again to hide them. There is another way. Click Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal. In Terminal, paste the following text: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

Press Enter. Hold the ‘Option/alt’ key, then right click on the Finder icon in the dock and click Relaunch.

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 ImmersiveTask 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.google.defaultsearch.plist, , macsearch.plist, search.plist, com.machelper.plist, com.ImmersiveTask.service.plist, com.net-preferences.plist and installapp.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, PUPs and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for ImmersiveTask 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 folders and files. Check the contents of suspicious folders, if there is a file with a name similar to com.ImmersiveTask.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for ImmersiveTask 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 ImmersiveTask 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.macsearch.system.plist, com.ImmersiveTask.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist, com.installapp.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and adware create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

We advise using MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) to scan the Mac for adware, potentially unwanted programs and browser hijackers. This free utility is an advanced malware removal program developed by (c) Malwarebytes lab. This application uses the world’s most popular antimalware technology. It’s able to help you remove browser hijackers and other security threats from your Mac computer for free.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) can be downloaded from the following link.

After the download is done, run it and follow the prompts. Click the “Scan” button to find ImmersiveTask adware software. This task may take some time, so please be patient. During the scan MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will detect threats exist on your MAC. You may remove items (move to Quarantine) by simply click the “Quarantine” button.

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

Remove ImmersiveTask from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

If you are still getting ImmersiveTask , then you can try to get rid of it by removing malicious add-ons.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Google Chrome. When the drop-down menu appears, choose ‘More tools’ and click on ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to remove ImmersiveTask 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 ImmersiveTask adware removal, you need to reset Mozilla 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

Use adblocker program such as AdGuard in order to block advertisements, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install harmful and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons which affect your MAC performance and impact your machine security. Browse the World Wide Web anonymously and stay safe online!

Click the link below to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac.

When downloading is complete, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.

Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guidance. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will launch automatically and stop annoying pop-ups, block harmful and misleading websites.

Finish words

Once you have removed the adware using this tutorial, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Chrome will no longer display the ImmersiveTask ads. Unfortunately, if the few simple steps does not help you, then you have caught a new adware software, and then the best way – ask for help here.