Adware Helpers is one of the harmful adware that could cause severe infections to your system.
Threat Summary
| Name | Adware Helpers |
| Type | Adware, PUP |
| Short Description | Adware helpers might modify settings on the homepage, search engine and new tab on every browser application you have installed. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab and search engine of all your browsers will feature ads and adware helpers. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool |
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Adware Helpers. |
How Does Adware Helpers Work?
Adware Helpers is of no help to users. Its main purpose is to boost advertising revenue and blackhat SEO stats. Although not a virus, Adware Helpers demonstrates plenty of malicious features. Such are rootkit capabilities, browser hijacking, interfering with your browsing routine, and what not. That is why it’s categorized as a PUP (potentially unwanted program). 
Once in your system, Adware Helpers may change your default browser settings and homepage. While you are browsing online, it will frequently redirect you to unwanted websites that could be infected with real viruses.
Adware Helpers may also start displaying various pop-up ads, fake system alerts, and error messages and by clicking them, you risk being redirected to unsafe websites again.
How Do Adware Helpers Enter Your Computer?
Adware Helpers typically infiltrates your system bundled with free programs you download from the Web. Also, if you have installed software from websites such as CNET, Brothersoft or Softonic, chances are you infected your system with Adware Helpers.
Bundling is a popular method to drop PUPs into users’ systems without their knowledge but with their consent. During the installation process of a freeware, for example, you are given an option to disallow the bundling, but most users fail to do so. As a result, they end up with unwanted programs on their PCs.
Therefore, in order to protect your system, make sure always to look for the bundling option during the installation process of any freeware you download from the Web. Disable it, and uncheck all options and features you are not acquainted with. Always aim for custom installation.
How to Remove Adware Helpers?
It is best to remove Adware Helpers via a well-trusted anti-malware tool. Otherwise, you risk worsening the situation.
- Guide 1: How to Remove Adware Helpers from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Adware Helpers from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Adware Helpers from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Adware Helpers from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Adware Helpers from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Adware Helpers from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Adware Helpers from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Adware Helpers from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Adware Helpers
Step 2: Uninstall Adware Helpers and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Adware Helpers on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Adware Helpers there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of Adware Helpers from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Adware Helpers and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Adware Helpers via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Adware Helpers from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase Adware Helpers from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall Adware Helpers from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Adware Helpers from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the Adware Helpers will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Adware Helpers from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
