We recommend that you consider the removal of Receiver Helper and all files related to this Mac virus. In our guide, you will find instructions on removing Receiver Helper and securing the affected system.
What is Receiver Helper on Mac?
Receiver Helper is an undesired program that affects macOS. It performs changes that affect both installed browsers and operating systems.
The propagation methods for such programs are often shady. That’s why users overlook the installation process.
By having typical adware traits, the app is capable of generating various annoying online ads. At the same time, ReceiverHelper operates as a browser hijacker. As a hijacker, it alters main browser settings. It can replace the homepage, new tab page, and default search engine with bogus search engines like Safe Finder, Search Mine and Akaimaihd. The unwanted app also generates fake pop-up warnings. These warnings usually state that there is malware on the machine.
Receiver Helper Summary
| Name | Receiver Helper |
| Type | Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) |
| Short Description | A questionable application that hijacks Safari and Chrome browsers for Mac. Performs browser modifications without your knowledge. |
| Symptoms | The homepage, new tab page and search engine in preferred web browser may be set to display hoax search engine. Browser slowdowns may occur due to increased number of online ads. The program may start every time you start the affected Mac. |
| Distribution Method | Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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Malware Removal Tool
|
| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Receiver Helper. |
ReceiverHelper – Is It Malware?
ReceiverHelper is a potentially unwanted program that affects Mac operating systems. It does not perform malicious changes on systems it affects, Hence it is not a malware.
The app spreads via various shady techniques, which often lead to its unnoticed installation. This program’s sudden and unexpected appearance makes many users believe that Receiver Helper is a virus for Mac.
The good news is that the app won’t cause damage to the systems it affects. The bad news is that this potentially unwanted program can cause a few potentially dangerous issues. It is likely to harvest sensitive details, alter main browser settings, and deliver various types of ads that related to corrupted websites. Receiver Helper is an app for Mac that has been classified as an adware. It can also act as a browser hijacker.
“Receiverhelper” will damage your computer
When Receiver Helper manages to run on a Mac operating system, it applies some bad changes. These changes make the system vulnerable to malware infections. Once started on your Mac, Receiver Helper alters some of the main browsing preferences. By doing this it becomes able to harvest details that define your online activities. Gathered data is sent to its servers. The program may also push questionable search engines and cause redirects to them.
Receiver Helper keeps targetting more and more victims. Users continue reporting that they have noticed the nasty issue on their Mac systems.
If you are one of the affected users, it is essential to check the programs installed on your Mac. Also, be careful of what you use to search the Web space. The unwanted program might have set a hoax search engine.
Programs that claim to be useful but cause unwanted issues instead are hoax programs and should be eradicated. Receiver Helper Mac is nothing but a nuisance.
Unsolicited data collection happens with tracking technologies like cookies, web beacons, scripts, and others. Eventually, as long as the Receiver Helper is running on the macOS, it may get details like:
- Visited URLs and websites
- Browser’s home page
- Search queries
- Search queries on the visited web pages
- Type of used browser
- Operating system type
- Internet protocol (IP) address
- Geographic location
- The domain name of the current Internet service provider (ISP)
Since the owners of the Receiver Helper unwanted app on Mac are unknown, all purposes of data collection remain a mystery. Commonly, data records are used for the launch of targeted advertising campaigns.
If this happens, your affected browser will be inundated with a large number of annoying ads. These ads may attempt to trick you into visiting bogus/harmful websites.
It is also possible that the owners of the Receiver Helper Mac “virus” program may release harvested details on dark web markets for financial income.
Furthermore, your Mac may regularly start generating annoying pop-up messages. These messages may claim the following:
Receiverhelper Malware will damage your computer
or
Receiverhelper.app will damage your computer
The presence of Receiver Helper on your Mac may lead to some severe system security and privacy-related issues. To avoid all the unpleasant problems resulting from having the Receiver Helper program on your Mac, navigate to the removal instructions below. When you get rid of this undesired and potentially harmful program your can browser the web securely again.
Is ReceiverHelper a Virus?
ReceiverHelper is not categorized by security researchers to be a virus for Mac. However it has been classified as a low level type of threat that is indirectly risky for your computer. The main reasons for that are this program may be responsible for changing various types of settings on your macOS and the web browsers that are installed in it.
And also, even though it hasn’t been officially confirmed, this program may perform different types of adware activities. This includes showing various forms of advertisements that may not only slow your Mac, but also lead to dangerous websites, like the following ones:
- Phishing sites.
- Scam sites.
- Redirects to virus links.
- Fraud Tech Support pages.
- Scam surveys.
These are the main reasons why the longer this program remains on your Mac, the more problems it could cause it. They are also the reasons why you should focus on removing this risky software as soon as you can.
Remove Receiver Helper Mac Malware
To remove Receiver Helper Mac malware and all entries it created on the system, you should complete several removal steps in a precise order. The guide below presents manual and automatic removal approaches. To fully get rid of files installed by undesired programs and strengthen macOS security, we recommend that you combine the steps.
The manual Receiver Helper virus removal might be quite a complicated process. It requires advanced computer skills. If you don’t feel comfortable with the manual measures, navigate to the guide’s automatic part – Step 3.
In some cases, after having uninstalled the Receiver Helper Mac app, certain files might be left behind on the system. How to check for such files? After removing Receiver Helper Mac malware please do reboot the system. Then ensure that the files or folders related to the unwanted app are gone. They may be listed in these sections:
- /Applications
- /Library/Internet plug-ins/
- /Library/LaunchAgents/
- /Users/Shared
- ~/Library
- ~/Applications
Notice: Before manually removing files or folders on your Mac, make sure to identify the accurate components of Receiver Helper. Deleting other apps’ files (or system settings files) by mistake may trigger malfunction of installed apps or even your system.
In case you have further questions or need extra help with the removal process, we at Sensorstechforum.com are here to help. Don’t hesitate to leave us a comment.
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.
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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 Receiver Helper files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Receiver Helper, 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 Receiver Helper 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 Receiver Helper:
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 Receiver Helper. 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 Receiver Helper. 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 Receiver Helper 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 Receiver Helper. 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 Receiver Helper – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Receiver Helper-FAQ
What is Receiver Helper on your Mac?
The Receiver Helper 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 Receiver Helper?
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 Receiver Helper?
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 Receiver Helper Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Receiver Helper 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 Receiver Helper?
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 Receiver Helper threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
Thank you!!! I really appreciate that you put this article out!
hey there, I too wanted to say thank you for this article. helped me out! I no longer see this…keep up the good work… and stay safe!!
any idea why I keep seeing this message on my Mac?
I was warned that I should uninstall the citrix receiver helpers.
I’ve just completed all suggestions in this article and I don’t know which step removed the receiver helper pop-up message but it’s gone.