What is OptimalHelper on Mac?
OptimalHelper is the name of a browser hijacker configured to affect web applications installed on macOS. The unwanted application pushes the hoax search engine Search.optimalhelper.com.
Such an application affected your Mac with the main goal to monetize its presence. Therefore, it is likely to produce an enormous amount of pop-ups, banners, browser redirects, and other types of adverts.
All behavioural traits of OptimalHelper indicate that this application has no place on your Mac. How to get rid of OptimalHelper and prevent such unwanted applications from infecting your Mac in the future? How to prevent advertisements from such programs on your Mac? Discover in this removal guide.
OptimalHelper Hijacker Summary
| Name | OptimalHelper Hijacker also known as Optimal Helper, Search.optimalhelper.com, Browser.MacOS.Search.optimalhelper.com (SpyHunter for Mac) |
| Type | Browser Hijacker, PUP |
| Short Description | Aims to modify the settings on your web browser in order to get it to cause browser redirects and display different advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Your web browser begins to display various types of online advertisements, which results in slowing down of your machine. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
Download
Malware Removal Tool
|
OptimalHelper Hijacker on Mac – Distribution and Description
The primary technique which might have delivered OptimalHelper on your Mac is software bundling also known as packing. Therefore, the unwanted browser hijacker might have entered your Mac as an optional free app added to the installer of a free third-party application that you’ve recently installed. Such apps are hosted on questionable third-party sites that seem as if they are legitimate but are dangerous instead.
Bundling may not be the only technique that installs OptimalHelper hijacker on Mac. The undesired app might end up on your computer after an installation of a fake software update. Some fake Flash Player updates, for example, were noticed to add bogus applications on Mac operating systems.
Once set up on your Mac, the OptimalHelper has the chance to transform the way you use your Mac for the worse. Claiming to be a useful application is something that is common for such pesky applications but the facts indicate that they lower macOS security by forcing victims to use hoax search engines. Sometimes hijackers are the reason for the very persistent issue Google redirects to Yahoo.
In the case of OptimalHelper, the app was registered to add its own bogus search engine. So, if it has infected your Mac, you might see the domain Search.optimalhelper.com to be placed on the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine in the installed web browser.
In addition, the OptimalHelper hijacker on Mac might act as adware too. Once it has been added to the system, it may also begin to deliver the following promotions and ads:
- Ad-supported search results showing up on a hoax search engine in your web browser.
- Redirects to third-party sites.
- Pop-ups.
- Push ads.
- Banners.
The ads might leave cookies and other trackers that record specific data. They might additionally be dangerous for your online security if linking to high-risk internet sites like:
- Phishing sites.
- Scam websites.
- Sites that may be phony tech support rip-offs.
- Risky sites.
Even if OptimalHelper is not a typical Mac virus, it is still indirectly harmful to your computer and must be removed from it.
Remove OptimalHelper from Your Mac
To make sure that you delete all files of OptimalHelper from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you take a look at the steps listed below. They are developed to assist you to isolate and delete this risky app from your Mac. For best results, we advise that you download and run a scan of your Mac, using reputable anti-malware for Mac. Such an application will check for all threats and malware on your Mac and also make sure it is clean from viruses in the future.
Gergana Ivanova
Highly motivated writer with 5+ years of experience writing for ransomware, malware, adware, PUPs, and other cybersecurity-related issues. As a writer, I strive to create content that is based on thorough technical research. I find joy in the process of creating articles that are easy to understand, informative, and useful. Follow me on Twitter (@IRGergana) for the latest in the field of computer, mobile, and online security.
Follow Me:
Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove OptimalHelper Hijacker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as OptimalHelper Hijacker, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall OptimalHelper Hijacker 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to OptimalHelper Hijacker:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to OptimalHelper Hijacker. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to OptimalHelper Hijacker. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 OptimalHelper Hijacker 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:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as OptimalHelper Hijacker. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 3: Remove OptimalHelper Hijacker – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
OptimalHelper Hijacker-FAQ
What is OptimalHelper Hijacker on your Mac?
The OptimalHelper Hijacker threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like OptimalHelper Hijacker?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from OptimalHelper Hijacker?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the OptimalHelper Hijacker Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this OptimalHelper Hijacker how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on OptimalHelper Hijacker?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the OptimalHelper Hijacker threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.