How to remove Currency Helper browser hijacker
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of application is Currency Helper?
Our examination of the Currency Helper application has uncovered its nature as a browser extension designed to hijack web browsers. This app forcefully imposes a fake search engine (currencyhelperext.com) by modifying browser settings. Moreover, Currency Helper possesses the capability to access specific data.
Currency Helper browser hijacker overview
Currency Helper alters the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page settings to currencyhelperext.com, coercing users into utilizing this fake search engine for their Internet browsing. Our evaluation of currencyhelperext.com indicates that it displays search results generated by bing.com, a recognized and reliable search engine.
It is crucial to recognize that utilizing dubious search engines can result in visiting untrustworthy websites. These search engines often promote scams, malicious sites, potentially harmful applications, and similar risks. Therefore, it is strongly advised to refrain from using such search engines to safeguard your online security.
Furthermore, Currency Helper possesses the capability to collect various data. The gathered information can potentially be utilized for marketing endeavors, sold to third parties, or exploited in other manners, thereby presenting risks to online privacy.
Name | Currency Helper |
Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
Browser Extension(s) | Currency Helper |
Supposed Functionality | Currency converter |
Promoted URL | currencyhelperext.com |
Detection Names (currencyhelperext.com) | Trustwave (Phishing), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
Serving IP Address (currencyhelperext.com) | 104.21.2.79 |
Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Browser hijackers in general
Browser hijackers are designed to promote different search engines, both legitimate and untrustworthy ones. It is worth noting that not all apps of this nature modify web browser settings to promote search engines. Typically, users are unable to remove unwanted search engines from their web browser settings as long as browser-hijacking apps remain installed.
More examples of similar apps are My Notes Extension, Ultimate Basketball Fan Extension, and Nature Extension.
How did Currency Helper install on my computer?
Users can inadvertently add or install browser hijackers through various means. Common methods include downloading and installing software from untrustworthy or malicious sources, clicking on deceptive advertisements or pop-ups, visiting compromised websites, and accepting bundled software installations without carefully reviewing the terms and conditions.
Additionally, users may unknowingly give permission for browser hijackers to install by not paying attention to the installation process or by clicking on misleading prompts.
How to avoid installation of browser hijackers?
In order to avoid browser hijacking, it is important to follow these preventive measures. First, be cautious when downloading and installing software, ensuring that it is from reputable sources. Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, and security software to patch any vulnerabilities.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links or advertisements and visiting untrusted websites. Check downloaders and installers for unwanted apps and deselect them. If your computer is already infected with Currency Helper, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Currencyhelperext.com redirects to bing.com (GIF):
Permissions asked by Currency Helper browser hijacker:
Shady page promoting Currency Helper browser hijacker:
Official Currency Helper promotion site:
Instant automatic 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 malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
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. 7 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 Currency Helper?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Currency Helper application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Currency Helper browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove currencyhelperext.com homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove currencyhelperext.com redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Currency Helper browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the currencyhelperext.com website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Currency Helper browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
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 "Currency Helper" and other recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Currency Helper", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.currencyhelperext.com) below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "currencyhelperext.com", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the currencyhelperext.com redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate "Currency Helper", as well as all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable "Currency Helper", remove hxxp://currencyhelperext.com and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with currencyhelperext.com redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the currencyhelperext.com redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on currencyhelperext.com redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of forcing users visit currencyhelperext.com website?
The objective of compelling users to visit currencyhelperext.com is to generate website traffic and revenue through advertising or other means.
Is visiting currencyhelperext.com a threat to my privacy?
Accessing currencyhelperext.com carries a potential privacy risk, as it is a fake search engine that may be capable of gathering user data such as search queries, browsing history, IP addresses, geolocation information, etc.
How did a browser hijacker infiltrate my computer?
Browser hijackers are frequently distributed through diverse channels, including bundled installers, dubious download sources (such as freeware and third-party websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, etc.), online scams, intrusive advertisements, and spam browser notifications.
Will Combo Cleaner help me remove Currency Helper browser hijacker?
Combo Cleaner is capable of scanning and eliminating browser-hijacking applications. Manual removal may not be effective in cases where multiple hijackers are present, as removing one may result in others reinstalling it, and settings related to removal may be unmodifiable. Therefore, it becomes necessary to remove all hijackers simultaneously in such scenarios.
▼ Show Discussion