Remove VitalBrowserHelper Completely from Your PC

by Ventsislav Krastev | October 5, 2015 | 0 Comments adware, online advertisement, pop-up ads, PUP

Name	VitalBrowserHelper
Type	Adware, PUP
Short Description	Administers intrusive advertisements
Symptoms	Slow PC; Background process in Windows Task Manager; Advertisements
Distribution Method	Bundling or by clicking on an ad
Detection tool	Download Malware Removal Tool, to See If Your System Has Been Affected By VitalBrowserHelper

Users have reported seeing advertised content brought by a potentially unwanted program(PUP) on their computers, called VitalBrowserHelper. There are several ways to install this unwanted program, and after it is situated on the computer, it cooperates with third-party sites to display advertised content. The program itself is harmless. However, its publishers have explicitly mentioned that they hold no responsibility if any harm may come to the user’s PC via third-party advertising. They also suggested that third-party sites may employ various tracking technologies in order to display targeted advertisements and all of these plus its detection as a PUP by a particular anti-malware software point out to the recommendation of its removal.

VitalBrowserHelper – How Did I Get It?

There are several different methods for installing this application. It is available via a direct download from its site by clicking on an ad or bundled downloads. Bundling is a very common marketing strategy because it is very effective. Most third-party sites that offer various free programs, widely used worldwide may bundle other applications on demand. The downside of this is that some third party sites disregard any what so ever warnings regarding whether or not those programs are harmful or not. And most antivirus only detects directly malicious threats to the PC, not programs that are ad-supported and directly harmless.

More About VitalBrowserHelper

VitalBrowserHelper is advertised as a helpful software that will in a way improve user experience by displaying relevant content based on user preferences. The app developers, claim in its website VitalBrowserHelper.com that this program will show the best possible deals regarding what it is they are looking for on the web and hence save them money. This may be true, some relevant results may be displayed. But what users are not aware of is that the software may also display advertisements from third-party websites that may either be a scamming ones or infect user PCs with different malware. Given that into consideration, here is VitalBrowserHelper’s policy, regarding tracking technologies and third-party sites collecting user data:

As seen the program disclaims any liability in case a related problem occurs, however, it does not take any responsibility when third-parties are involved. This means that the user may become a victim of:

A malicious site that infects his PC with trojans, viruses, worms, clickers, downloaders, spam viruses for social networks and others.
A scam involving a scareware message saying his PC is infected with a virus and asking to call a fake tech support number that eventually asks for huge fees to fix the issue.
A fraud involving fraudulent retail stores that have no actual inventory and only drop ship the product (buy it from another vendor cheaper) or do not send any products and just collect financial data upon online purchasing.

Once run on your desktop, the program situates an active executable process in the Windows Task Manager. It may be the one administering ads, and the is a likelihood that it may send out different user information to foreign domains with the purpose of identifying user interests and displaying ads based on those. The user may not immediately but eventually start seeing advertisements. Those could be in various forms:

Highlighted texts on the sites he/she visits.
Intrusive Pop-up ads timed to pop-up at the exact moment and location before a user click. Those are specially designed for fast-clickers.
Site banners – the app may take over banner spaces on various places the user often visits.

What is more, when a scan has been run, the application was detected by an advanced anti-malware scanner as a potentially harmful adware program that may be indirectly dangerous to the user PC and there were several different files and settings modified by it. What is more, the app is advertised as a browser add-on. However, no browser add-ons associated with it were detected in any of the following browsers:

→Google Chrome
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Opera

Removing VitalBrowserHelper from Your Computer

In case you have decided to delete this application manually from your computer, you should make sure you follow the instructions for manual removal below. However, since the app may leave some settings or objects still on the user PC after manual removal, it is highly advisable to be rid of it, using an advanced anti-malware program. It will automatically rid you of any associated objects from your computer and protect it from any intrusions that the adware may have already caused on your PC.

Step 1: Remove/Uninstall VitalBrowserHelper in Windows

Here is a method in few easy steps to remove that program. No matter if you are using Windows 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 get left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, mistakes 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:

Hold the Windows Logo Button and “R” on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear (fig.1).

In the field type in “appwiz.cpl” and press ENTER (fig.2).

This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC.
Select the program that you want to remove, and press “Uninstall” (fig.3).

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall VitalBrowserHelper.

Step 2: Remove VitalBrowserHelper from your browser

Remove a toolbar from Mozilla Firefox

Remove a toolbar from Google Chrome

Remove a toolbar from Internet Explorer

Remove a toolbar from Safari

Start Mozilla Firefox Open the menu window

Select the “Add-ons” icon from the menu

Select VitalBrowserHelper and click “Remove”

After VitalBrowserHelper is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Google Chrome and Open the drop menu

Move the cursor over “Tools” and then from the extended menu choose “Extensions“

From the opened “Extensions” menu locate VitalBrowserHelper and click on the garbage bin icon on the right of it.

After VitalBrowserHelper is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red “X” in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Internet Explorer:

Click “‘Tools’ to open the drop menu and select ‘Manage Add-ons’

In the ‘Manage Add-ons’ window, make sure that in the first window ‘Add-on Types’, the drop menu ‘Show’ is on ‘All add-ons’

Select VitalBrowserHelper to remove, and then click ‘Disable’. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected toolbar, and some additional toolbars might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click ‘Disable’.

After VitalBrowserHelper has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red ‘X’ in the top right corner and start it again.

Start Safari

Open the drop menu by clicking on the sprocket icon in the top right corner.

From the drop menu select ‘Preferences’
In the new window select ‘Extensions’
Click once on VitalBrowserHelper
Click ‘Uninstall’

A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall VitalBrowserHelper. Select ‘Uninstall’ again, and the VitalBrowserHelper will be removed.

Step 3: Remove VitalBrowserHelper automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.

To clean your computer you should download an updated anti-malware program on a safe PC and then install it on the affected computer in offline mode. After that you should boot into safe mode and scan your computer to remove all VitalBrowserHelper associated objects.

NOTE! Substantial notification about the VitalBrowserHelper threat: Manual removal of VitalBrowserHelper requires interference with system files and registries. Thus, it can cause damage to your PC. Even if your computer skills are not at a professional level, don’t worry. You can do the removal yourself just in 5 minutes, using a malware removal tool.

Ventsislav Krastev

Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.

How to Remove VitalBrowserHelper from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove VitalBrowserHelper

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall VitalBrowserHelper 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by VitalBrowserHelper 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 VitalBrowserHelper there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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.

Step 4: Scan for VitalBrowserHelper with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Get rid of VitalBrowserHelper from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall VitalBrowserHelper and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

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 VitalBrowserHelper:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

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 VitalBrowserHelper. 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 VitalBrowserHelper. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over 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 VitalBrowserHelper 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

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 VitalBrowserHelper. 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 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.

Download

Combo Cleaner

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Remove VitalBrowserHelper 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 VitalBrowserHelper 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 VitalBrowserHelper 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 VitalBrowserHelper 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 VitalBrowserHelper will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Eliminate VitalBrowserHelper 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.

VitalBrowserHelper – How Did I Get It?

More About VitalBrowserHelper

Removing VitalBrowserHelper from Your Computer

Step 1: Remove/Uninstall VitalBrowserHelper in Windows

Step 2: Remove VitalBrowserHelper from your browser

Step 3: Remove VitalBrowserHelper automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware program.

Ventsislav Krastev

How to Remove VitalBrowserHelper from Windows.

Get rid of VitalBrowserHelper from Mac OS X.

Remove VitalBrowserHelper from Google Chrome.

Erase VitalBrowserHelper from Mozilla Firefox.

Uninstall VitalBrowserHelper from Microsoft Edge.

Remove VitalBrowserHelper from Safari.

Eliminate VitalBrowserHelper from Internet Explorer.

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