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

What is TaskSample

TaskSample is an adware application that targets Apple computers. Adware can make big problem to your Apple Mac. TaskSample is harmful application that displays a large amount of ads in form of pop ups, discounting deals, banners or even fake alerts on the MAC. It can seriously affect your privacy, your computer’s performance and security.

Another reason why you need to remove the TaskSample adware is its online data-tracking activity. It has the ability to gather a wide variety of privacy data (your ip address, what is a webpage you are viewing now, what you are looking for on the Net, which links you are clicking), which can later transfer to third parties. So, you should remove adware as soon as possible. Here, in this article below, you can found the useful instructions on How to uninstall TaskSample and get rid of unwanted advertisements from your MAC for free.

How does TaskSample get on your computer

Adware gets on MAC computers as a part of some free applications. So always read carefully the install screens, disclaimers, ‘Terms of Use’ and ‘Software license’ appearing during the install process. Additionally pay attention for additional apps which are being installed along with the main application. Ensure that you unchecked all of them! Also, run an ad blocker program that will help to stop shady and untrustworthy websites.

Threat Summary

Name	TaskSample
Type	adware, potentially unwanted application (PUA), Mac virus, Mac malware
Detection Names	OSX.Trojan.Gen, MacOS.Agent-MT, ApplicUnwnt, Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Adload, Program:MacOS/Vigram.A, Adware.MAC.Generic, Adware/Adload!OSX and Osx.Adware.Cimpli
Distribution	Freeware installers, torrent downloads, fake software updaters and dubious pop up ads
Symptoms	You keep getting redirected to unfamiliar web pages, advertising banners appear on webpages that you are visiting, there is an unexpected program in the ‘Applications’ section of the Finder, new extensions suddenly added on your internet browser, unexpected changes in your web browser such as using a new default search provider, fast Internet but slow browsing speeds.
Removal	TaskSample removal guide

How to remove TaskSample

Without a doubt, the TaskSample adware is harmful to your Apple computer. So you need to quickly and completely get rid of this adware. To remove it, you can use the manual removal instructions which are given below or free malicious software removal utility such as MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) (it is free). We suggest you use automatic removal method that will help you to remove TaskSample easily and safely. Manual removal is best used only if you’re well versed in computer or in the case where adware is not uninstalled automatically. Certain of the steps will require you to reboot your MAC or exit this web page. So, read this guide carefully, then bookmark this page or open it on your smartphone for later reference.

To remove TaskSample, use the steps below:

1. Remove profiles created by TaskSample
2. Uninstall TaskSample related software through the Finder
3. Remove TaskSample related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove TaskSample from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online

Remove profiles created by TaskSample

TaskSample 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.

Click the System Preferences icon ( ) in the Dock, or choose Apple menu ( ) > System Preferences.

In System Preferences, click Profiles, then select a profile related to TaskSample.

Click the minus button ( – ) located at the bottom-left of the Profiles screen to remove the profile.
Note: if you do not see Profiles in the System Preferences, that means there are no profiles installed on your Mac computer, which is normal.

Uninstall TaskSample related software through the Finder

Some PUPs, browser hijackers and adware can be uninstalled by uninstalling the freeware they came with. If this way does not succeed, then looking them up in the list of installed programs in the Finder. Use the “Move to Trash” command in order to get rid of them.

Make sure you have closed all web-browsers and other applications. Next, delete any undesired and suspicious software from machine using the Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Look around the entire list of applications installed on your Apple Mac. Most probably, one of them is the TaskSample adware. Select the suspicious application or the application 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 TaskSample related files and folders

Now you need to try to find TaskSample 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.

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

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

Some files created by TaskSample 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 TaskSample 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.net-preferences.plist, com.machelper.plist, installapp.plist, com.google.defaultsearch.plist, , search.plist, macsearch.plist and com.TaskSample.service.plist. Most often, browser hijackers, adware and potentially unwanted programs create several files with similar names.

Check for TaskSample 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.TaskSample.system, then this folder must be deleted. Move all suspicious folders and files to the Trash.

Check for TaskSample 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 TaskSample 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.installapp.system.plist, com.TaskSample.system.plist, com.machelper.system.plist and com.search.system.plist. In most cases, adware, browser hijackers and PUPs create several files with similar names.

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

You can delete TaskSample associated files automatically with a help of MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM). We suggest this free malware removal tool because it may easily remove adware software, toolbars, PUPs and browser hijackers with all their components such as files, folders and system entries.

1. Visit the page linked below to download MalwareBytes.
   
   

   Malwarebytes Anti-malware (Mac)
   20841 downloads
   Author: Malwarebytes
   Category: Security tools
   Update: September 10, 2020
   
2. When downloading is complete, close all apps and windows on your Apple Mac. Open a folder in which you saved it. Run the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
3. Click the “Scan” button to begin checking your computer for the TaskSample adware. This procedure may take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes Free tool is checking, you can see number of objects it has identified as being affected by malicious software.
4. When the scan is done, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will show a list of found items. Review the scan results and then press “Quarantine”.

Remove TaskSample from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

Annoying TaskSample adware or other symptoms of adware in your browser is a good reason to find and delete malicious plugins. This is an easy way to restore internet browsers settings and not lose any important information.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top-right corner, expand the Google Chrome menu. In the menu go to ‘More tools’, then ‘Extensions’. Click ‘Remove’ to uninstall an extension. Click ‘Remove’ in the dialog box. You can also try to get rid of TaskSample adware by reset 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 TaskSample 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

In order to increase your security and protect your MAC OS against new intrusive ads and harmful webpages, you need to run adblocker program that blocks an access to harmful ads and web-pages. Moreover, the program can stop the show of intrusive advertising, which also leads to faster loading of web pages and reduce the consumption of web traffic.

AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.

After the downloading process is finished, 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 tutorial. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guide which will help you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you start your Apple Mac, AdGuard will start automatically and stop annoying ads, block harmful and misleading web pages.

Finish words

Once you have removed the TaskSample adware using this steps, Firefox, Chrome and Safari will no longer display any unwanted ads. Unfortunately, if the guidance does not help you, then you have caught a new adware, and then the best way – ask for help here.