xHelper Virus

by Ventsislav Krastev | February 14, 2020 | 0 Comments Android Malware, Android Trojan, Online pop-ups

An Android financial malware called xHelper by Kaspersky scientists has actually been found to obtain all types of financial credentials in addition to take login details and root devices. The developers of this malware have actually designed it to function mainly as banking malware offering lots of lucrative opportunities for the cyber-criminals that are going to be using it. Customers are highly suggested to read this article and also learn how to safeguard themselves from this Android OS banking malware.

The criminals who rearrange this trojan have very skillfully though out the process of reproducing this malware infection. Among the methods the criminals make use of is to download a main application, such as Pokemon Go, Vkontakte or Telegram as well as strip it’s code down to include a destructive script in it. Then, they re-upload the changed malicious application as well as upload it on unethical third-party websites.

Since such internet sites do not have their approach of self-replicating, the criminals might additionally link these websites as well as advertise the malicious links that might create the download of such apps. This can occur in several ways, one of which is Facebook spam that advertises the application, just like My Secret Video Facebook malware does.

After the applications are installed on the tool, the malware then may link to multiple third-party web links and download the complete payload of the xHelper trojan.

Threat Summary

Name	xHelper
Type	Android Virus
Short Description	May enter your device and steal crucial information from it.
Symptoms	You may see slow downs and other activities on your device.
Distribution Method	Via fake third-party apps or adverts.
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss xHelper.

xHelper Trojan Description

The malware is specifically brilliant in it’s activities. One activity it performs is that it coordinates with the phony application which works as a downloader. After the application downloads the destructive documents, which are secured for obfuscation, it decrypts them on the gadget and also implements them.

Hereafter has actually been done, the malicious application might additionally download and install updates to the application adding new functions to it’s presently existing ones. And the presently existing functions are numerous that they provide the ones that have actually infected you a push-button control like consents:

Complete control of the SMS solution.
Complete control of the phone’s phone calls.
Equilibrium checks of the phone.
Obtaining the phone’s contacts.
Altering the destructive web server from which files are downloaded.
Producing a lock display on the tool as well as revealing a web page.
Making lists that accumulate password and also username info for various solutions.
Switching down and also turning off a gadget.

Besides those numerous features, this malware likewise has the ability of rooting the phone, meaning that the cyber-criminals may have access to more attributes also, just as an origin customer. This, besides providing complete control to the phone’s apps, software, as well as equipment, it likewise permits them to steal all the info they wish to and also input it in their immediately produced login databases.

How to Remove xHelper Android Trojan

The xHelper banking trojan is an extremely dangerous hazard, as well as the crooks who established it are especially clever. One reason is that they have actually managed to successfully focus on Android tools given that mobile repayment usage is ending up being much more constant than ever. All customers that make use of mobile settlement techniques and have set up applications from suspicious areas ought to protect their phone by hard resetting it, which can be quickly done if you adhere to the instructions hereafter post.

Preparation before removal of xHelper.

Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.

Turn off your phone until you know how bad is the virus infection.
Open these steps on another, safe device.
Make sure to take out your SIM card, as the virus could corrupt it in some rare cases.

Step 1: Shut Down your phone to win some time against xHelper

Shutting down your phone can be done by pressing and holding its power button and choosing shut down.

In case the virus does not let you do this, you can also try to remove the battery.

In case your battery is non-removalble, you can try to drain it as fast as possible if you still have control over it.

Notes: This gives youtime to see how bad the situation is and to be able to take out your SIM card safely, without the numbers in it to be erased. If the virus is on your computer, it is espeically dangerous to keep the sim card there.

Step 2: Turn on Safe Mode of your Android device.

For most Android devices, switching to Safe Mode is the same. Its done by following these mini-steps:

1.Turn on your device and hold the power button until you see the following menu:

2.Tap on Safe Mode Icon to reset your phone to Safe Mode, like shown below:

3.When you turn on your phone, you will see the letters “Safe Mode” written on the side, bottom or other corners of the screen. Your phone will also be in Airplane mode. This will help avoid any viruses communicating with the hacker.

Step 3: Eliminate the App that Your Believe is the Virus

Usually Android viruses get masked in the form of applications. To eliminate apps, follow these mini-steps:

1.Swipe down from the top of your phone and locate the Settings symbol and tap on it.

2.When you open the Settings menu, you should be able to locate the control center of all your App Permissions. It should look something like the following:

3.Now if you know which the virus or adware app is, you should locate it and tap on it:

4.When you enter the app, you will see two options – to Force Stop it and to Uninstall it. Make sure to first Force Stop it so that your phone is safe from any tripwire tactics of the app that may destroy it an then tap on Uninstall to remove it.

5.Now if you are sure that the virus or adware app is removed, you can hold the Power button and tap on Restart:

Step 4: Find Hidden Virus Files on Your Android Phone and Remove Them

1.To find hidden files manually (In case you know where the virus files are), you can use Safe Mode to go to where your Files are actually located. Usually, this is a folder, named “My Files” or something approximate to this:

2.There you should be able to locate all of your files and all of the folders:

Simply locate the virus and holdtap on the virus file to delete it.

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 xHelper from Windows.

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

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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall xHelper 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 xHelper:

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 xHelper. 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 xHelper. 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 xHelper 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 xHelper. 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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 xHelper 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.

How to Remove xHelper from Windows.

Get rid of xHelper from Mac OS X.

Remove xHelper from Google Chrome.

Erase xHelper from Mozilla Firefox.

Uninstall xHelper from Microsoft Edge.

Remove xHelper from Safari.

Eliminate xHelper from Internet Explorer.

xHelper Virus – Android Removal GUIDE

xHelper Virus

Threat Summary

How to Remove xHelper Android Trojan

Ventsislav Krastev

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