Remove HelperPages adware from the system

What is HelperPages?

HelperPages is advertised as an extension that helps users to browse the web more efficiently by supposedly providing fast searches, accurate search results, and so on.

In fact, HelperPages is an adware-type app that displays ads. Apps of this type are often used to collect information relating to internet browsing activity. Note that HelperPages is categorized as potentially unwanted application (PUA), since people usually do not download or install it intentionally.

Typically, when adware is installed on a browser or operating system, browsers display various intrusive ads. For example, coupons, banners, surveys, pop-up ads, etc. Generally, these conceal underlying content of visited websites and, if clicked, open untrustworthy or even malicious web pages.

In some cases, they execute scripts that download and install PUAs, some of which could be malicious. In many cases, apps of this type gather information such as users' IP addresses, geolocations, entered search queries, URLs of visited websites, and so on. Some PUAs can be used to gather personal, sensitive details.

Typically, people behind these apps (developers) share recorded information with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue.

There is a strong possibility that gathered details could be shared with cyber criminals. To avoid unwanted downloads, installations, problems with browsing safety, privacy, or even identity theft, we recommend that you uninstall HelperPages and other adware immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by HelperPages
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:PuAgent-H [PUP]), BitDefender (Adware.MAC.Hula.D), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.A), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.k), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

HelperPages is just one of many adware-type apps. Other examples of similar apps are LocalDefault, FormalSearch, and WindowMix. Generally, they are advertised as useful and legitimate apps, however, most do not operate as promised. PUAs deliver no real value and cause problems by performing actions that help their developers to generate revenue.

How did HelperPages install on my computer?

Most people download and/or install PUAs such as HelperPages unintentionally when they are tricked. To achieve this, developers use a deceptive marketing method known as "bundling". To distribute unwanted apps, they include them into the set-ups of other (usually free) software.

They hide offers to download or install additional apps in "Custom", "Advanced", "Manual", and other similar settings of the set-ups. Unwanted apps are downloaded/installed when people leave settings available in the set-ups unchanged. Additionally, PUAs are downloaded/installed through intrusive ads that run specific scripts.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Check all settings such as "Custom" and "Advanced" that are available in download or installation set-ups. Dismiss any offers to download or install additional applications. Download software or files from official, trustworthy websites and via direct download links.

Other sources/channels such as third party downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, unofficial pages, etc., cannot be trusted. If clicked, intrusive advertisements can lead to various untrustworthy websites. In some cases, clicking them can also lead to unwanted downloads and installations.

Therefore, do not trust these ads, especially on dubious sites such as, for example, those relating to gambling, adult dating, etc. If a browser displays ads or causes redirects to dubious web pages, it is likely that a PUA is installed. Remove all unwanted, unknown extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins from the browser and programs of this kind from the computer/MacOS.

If your computer is already infected with HelperPages, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this adware.

Fake update pop-up designed to install HelperPages adware on Safari (displayed by adware that is already installed):

HelperPages installation folder:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is HelperPages?
• STEP 1. Remove HelperPages related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove HelperPages ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove HelperPages adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove HelperPages ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove HelperPages adware using Combo Cleaner:

HelperPages adware removal:

Remove HelperPages-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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