Is your PC asking you to grant Akamai NetSession Client permission to communicate on private/public network? Should you grant it network access? Is it a dangerous virus?
If you’re unsure about this dialogue box, read on.
We will explain everything you need to know about Akamai NetSession interface in this article.
What is Akamai NetSession Client?
Akamai NetSession is a tool to boost your download speed. It installs on your system after you grant it permission to do so. You can remove it easily too.
Many companies are using Akamai NetSession interface to deliver documents and media files to your desktop. To make it work, these companies will ask to install Akamai NetSession client on your PC.
Sometimes, your hardware manufacturer may provide a BIOS update with Akamai client included in the package.
In a nutshell, Akamai NetSession client is a tool that helps with the following.
1- Faster downloads from specific companies
2- Reliable and secure downloads on demand
3- Complete more downloads in shorter time and with additional convenience
4- Supports HTTPS and SSL security
Is Akamai Netsession Client a Virus?
If you have installed Akamai Netsession as a part of BIOS update or through a company that uses this interface, your Firewall may flag it as a spyware.
It’s a false alarm.
This tool is NOT a spyware or a malware. It’s installed with your permission and you are at freedom to uninstall it at any time you want.
Seeing this warning from your firewall doesn’t mean that you are facing security vulnerability. This tool is non-intrusive in nature. It doesn’t share your private data.
Where is it installed on my computer?
Akamai NetSession is runs in the background as a service on your computer. You can view its service thread by going to Control Panel on your Windows PC.
If you are on a Mac, go to System Preference tab to view this service.
Akamai NetSession Interface – Should I remove it?
You don’t have to uninstall Akamai NetSession. It’s not a security threat.
Since it improves download speed for certain companies, removing it could slow down things for you.
Moreover, it could break some applications.
Many famous companies use this interface to offload their web server and improve user-experience. NASA, 99Tests, 5Miles, Absolut, Airbnb, and Adobe are among few of them.
If you decide to uninstall this tool, be sure to check what programs are using it. You can get this information by opening Control Panel and then Akamai NetSession.
How to stop NetSession?
You can easily stop NetSession interface if you want to see what difference it would make when removed.
However, if it’s downloading or streaming data to your computer, it will be interrupted. You may have to restart your computer to resume.
To stop this service, follow the easy steps below.
1- Open Control Panel on Windows
2- Open System Preferences if you have a Mac computer
3- Go to Preference tab
4- Locate NetSession service
5- Click the stop button to stop the service
If you decide to start the service again, simply click the Start button. The ‘stop’ button will change to ‘start’ as soon as you stop the service.
NOTE: When you restart your machine, this service will resume. It’s only a temporary solution to stop the service. To stop it permanently, you need to uninstall it from your computer.
How to Uninstall Akamai NetSession Client?
If you have decided to uninstall this service, follow the instructions below.
NOTE: We have listed two methods to remove NetSession. Choose a method you like. Both work:!
METHOD 1: Using Uninstaller Program
For Windows machine
To uninstall this app through uninstaller program, use these simple instructions.
1- Go to Windows Control Panel
2- Open Add or Remove Programs tool
3- Locate Akamai NetSession Interface
4- Select it and click Change/Remove button
5- Click Yes when the system asks for your permission to uninstall Akamai NetSession
6- Follow on-screen prompts
That’s it. Restart your computer so that changes can take effect.
For Mac machine
Simply follow the easy steps below.
1- Open the Finder tool
2- Search for NetSession Interface
3- Go to the folder containing the tool
4- You should see the uninstaller app along with other files
5- Now double-click the uninstaller app
6- Follow on-screen prompts to complete the installation
METHOD 2: Using Command Prompt
When the first method fails, you can try this advanced method.
For Windows machine
1- Press Start button on your Desktop or press Windows key from your keyboard
2- Click in the Search bar
3- Type ‘Command Prompt’ or ‘CMD’ without quotes
4- You will see Command Prompt application
5- Open it
6- Now you have to go to the NetSession installer folder using DOS commands
7- Use the following commands
NOTE: Hit Enter after each line and remember to change <user-name> with your account user name in Windows OS
cd..
c:
cd Users\<user-name>\AppData\Local\Akamai
8- Type “admintool.exe uninstall –force” without quotes and press Enter on the keyboard
9- It will take a few seconds to uninstall the Akamai tool from your computer
For Mac machine
1- Go to Applications
2- Open Utilities Folder
3- Double left-click Terminal
4- Now you have to go to Akamai NetSession installation folder using the Terminal
5- It’s usually located at ~/Applications/Akamai
6- Now in the terminal, type the following command and press Return key
./admintool uninstall –force
7- Wait a few seconds for the process to complete
That’s it. You have successfully uninstalled this tool from your computer.
Petr is a serial tech entrepreneur and the CEO of Apro Software, a machine learning company. Whenever he’s not blogging about technology for itechgyan.com or softwarebattle.com, Petr enjoys playing sports and going to the movies. He’s also deeply interested about mediation, Buddhism and biohacking.