How to uninstall HelperService app/extension from Mac

What is HelperService

HelperService is supposed to be a program that will improve the browsing experience, but according to security professionals, this application is adware. Adware is form of software designed to add ads into your Web browsing or even desktop experience. Adware can be designed to modify your startpage, search engine, search results, or even add toolbars to your browser. Adware run in the background when surf the Net, and it can slow down your MAC OS and affect its performance.

Does adware software steal your privacy information? The HelperService adware can collect privacy information, including:

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

How does HelperService get on your machine

Most commonly, a freeware installer includes additional apps like this adware. So, be very careful when you agree to install anything. The best way – is to select a Custom, Advanced or Manual installation type. Here uncheck all optional programs in which you are unsure or that causes even a slightest suspicion.

Threat Summary

Name	HelperService, HelperService 1.0 app
Type	adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop-up ads, pop ups, pop-up virus
Symptoms	you experience a lot of of unwanted pop up windows you keep getting redirected to unfamiliar websites new entries appear in your Applications folder an unwanted extension appears in your internet browser your Apple Mac settings are being modified without your request low ping but slow Internet your machine starts performing very slowly
Removal	HelperService removal guide

How to remove HelperService adware

We can assist you remove HelperService from your web browsers, without the need to take your machine to a professional. Simply follow the removal guide below if you currently have the undesired adware on your Apple Mac and want to remove it. If you have any difficulty while trying to remove the adware software, feel free to ask for our assist in the comment section below. Read this manual carefully, bookmark it or open this page on your smartphone, because you may need to exit your web browser or restart your MAC.

To remove HelperService, execute the following steps:

1. Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device
2. Remove HelperService related apps through the Finder
3. Remove HelperService related files and folders
4. Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes
5. Remove HelperService from Safari, Chrome, Firefox
6. How to stay safe online
7. To sum up

Remove unwanted profiles on Mac device

HelperService 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 associated with HelperService.

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.

Remove HelperService related apps through the Finder

It is of primary importance to identify and get rid of PUPs, browser hijackers and adware through ‘Applications’ section of your Finder.

Open Finder and click “Applications”.

Very carefully look around the entire list of software installed on your MAC. Most probably, one of them is the HelperService adware. Once you have found a suspicious, unwanted or unused application, right click to it and choose “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the application from the Applications folder to the Trash.

Don’t forget, select Finder -> “Empty Trash”.

Remove HelperService related files and folders

Now you need to try to find HelperService 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.

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 HelperService 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: installapp.plist, com.machelper.plist, HelperService.plist, macsearch.plist and search.plist. Most often, potentially unwanted programs, browser hijackers and adware create several files with similar names.

Check for HelperService 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 folder. Move all suspicious folders to the Trash.

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

Scan your Mac with MalwareBytes

Manual HelperService removal requires some computer skills. Some files and system entries that created by the adware software can be not completely removed. We recommend that run MalwareBytes Free to scan the Mac computer. Moreover, this application will allow you to get rid of adware, browser hijackers, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars that your computer may be affected too.

Download MalwareBytes AntiMalware on your machine by clicking on the link below.

When the download is finished, close all software and windows on your computer. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.

The MalwareBytes Free will automatically start and you can see its main screen like below.

Now click the “Scan” button . MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) utility will begin scanning the whole Apple Mac to find out HelperService adware. Depending on your machine, the scan may take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. When a threat is found, the number of the security threats will change accordingly. Wait until the the checking is complete.

After the scan is finished, MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) will show a list of all threats detected by the scan. All detected items will be marked. You can remove them all by simply press the “Quarantine” button. The MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) will remove HelperService adware and move the selected threats to the program’s quarantine.

Remove HelperService from Safari, Chrome, Firefox

This step will show you how to get rid of malicious plugins. This can get rid of HelperService adware and fix some surfing problems, especially after adware software infection.

Google Chrome	Mozilla Firefox
In the top right hand corner, click on ‘three vertical dots’, and this will open up the main menu on Chrome. 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 remove HelperService 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 issues with HelperService adware 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

To put it simply, you need to use an ad-blocker utility (AdGuard, for example). It’ll block and protect you from malicious webpages, unwanted ads and popups. To be able to do that, the ad-blocking application uses a list of filters. Each filter is a rule that describes a malicious website, an advertising content, a banner and others. The ad-blocking program automatically uses these filters, depending on the web sites you are visiting.

Download AdGuard on your MAC by clicking on the link below.

When the downloading process 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 instructions. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick instructions which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.

Each time, when you run your Apple Mac, AdGuard will run automatically and stop intrusive advertisements, block harmful and misleading web sites.

To sum up

Now your MAC should be free of the HelperService adware. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Anti Malware (MBAM) (to periodically scan your MAC for new adware softwares and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you block undesired pop ups and malicious web sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware software, please stay clear of unknown and third party programs.

If you need more help with HelperService related issues, go to here.