What Is TabHelper Mac
TabHelper is the type of software that has been the reason for user reports of having their browser settings modified and beginning to see tons of different kinds of ads. The main problem with this program is the ads seen by it could lead to risky websites. Such websites could be often shown for profit by pay-per-click schemes as this is how the developers of these apps generate profit. This is the main reason why TabHelper is classified as a potentially unwanted and indirect threat to your computer and seeing it means that your Mac could be at risk.
Read this article to learn how to remove TabHelper from your Mac and your web browsers.
TabHelper Summary
| Name | TabHelper |
| Type | Browser Hijacker / PUP / Scam Redirect |
| 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 computer. |
| Distribution Method | Bundled downloads. Web pages which may advertise it. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your Device Has Been Affected by TabHelper
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Malware Removal Tool
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss TabHelper. |
TabHelper Mac Redirect Activity Report
TabHelper is very similar to other adware for Mac, like Private Video, NetworkSync and SearchConsole.
TabHelper may be installed on your Mac by being promoted as a “free extra” somewhere in the installation steps of other free software that you may have downloaded from some shady third-party site. Such free software ends up being file converter apps, image editors, media players, and other such useful apps. The way this works is for TabHelper to be optionally included in the setup steps of the free program in question where it is promoted. Once added to your Mac, TabHelper could immediately begin to change the settings of your web browsers, including the home page, new tab page and other such web pages. The outcome of this is TabHelper could be displaying the following advertisements on your device:
- New banners that replace legitimate ones on the sites you visit.
- Search result advertisements.
- Ads linked on the text of the sites you read from.
- Push notificaitons.
- Pop-up promotion.
- Third-party website transfers.
These ads often contain cookies, tags, geo-locators and other such trackers. These are small files that my be dropped on your Mac to snoop the following information from your online activities:
- Your last pages seen.
- Bookmarked sites.
- Your location and language.
- Your browsers’ history.
- What you search.
- Your mouse clicks, scrolls and movements.
The main problem, concerning TabHelper, however is that it could present a risk for your Mac. The reason for that is often the ads it shows to you go unchecked and unverified, which may lead to risky sites, such as:
- Scam pages.
- Virus websites that infect your device with malware.
- Fake tech support.
- Software download sites that are fraud.
- Redirects to other adware and risky domains.
- Survey scams that are phishing.
- Fake websites designed to steal information.
This is the main problem with TabHelper and the reason why it is gone from your Mac should be your first thing to do.
Remove TabHelper from Your Mac
TabHelper is a bit of a difficult application to be gotten rid of from your Mac as it may create multiple different risky files on it. The main issues related to this software could be that it modifies your web browser and uses multiple trackers. To remove it, we recommend following the removal instructions that we have created underneath this article. According to cyber-security experts, the best way to remove TabHelper from your computer is using professional anti-malware software. Such a program is specifically designed to detect and remove TabHelper from your browsers and your Mac automatically, as it is designed to detect and remove any adware, malware and trackers effectively.
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.
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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 TabHelper files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as TabHelper, 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 TabHelper 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 TabHelper:
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 TabHelper. 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 TabHelper. 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 TabHelper 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 TabHelper. 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 TabHelper – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
TabHelper-FAQ
What is TabHelper on your Mac?
The TabHelper 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 TabHelper?
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 TabHelper?
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 TabHelper Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this TabHelper 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 TabHelper?
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 TabHelper threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.