How to remove TabHelper from Mac

Easy tips to delete TabHelper

TabHelper is a rogue application belongs to Pirrit adware family. After the successful installation, it delivers various intrusive advertisements. Furthermore, like other adware, it has the dangerous data tracking potential. It may also display pop-ups claiming that your system is infected or has certain outdated software installed. It is important to note that such fake claims are used to distribute adware, browser hijacker and other PUAs. In some cases, they might cause dangerous Trojans or Ransomware download.

The TabHelper adware enables the placement of third-party content on any visited websites. The software delivers pop-ups, banners, coupons and other intrusive advertisements. These ads are more than just nuisance. They severely diminish the web browsing experience and pose a huge threat to the device/ user safety. These intrusive ads limit the websites’ visibility and slow down the browser speed by overlaying webpages.

They also promote various sale-oriented pages, rogue, untrustworthy, deceptive/ scam and malicious websites. What’s more, some intrusive advertisements can stealthy download/ install PUAs – upon being clicked. As mentioned earlier in the introduction, TabHelper can track users’ browsing session as well. Usually, thus activity allows it to collect data about the users’ browsing habit. The list of the collected data includes IP addresses, Geo-locations, Type of OS and browsers used, Search queries, viewed pages, URLs visited and etc.

The collected data could be shared with and/or sold to third parties/ potent crooks. In conclusion, the presence of the potentially unwanted app on the system can result into system infections, serious privacy issues, financial loss and even identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all suspicious applications including TabHelper and browser extensions/ plug-ins immediately upon detection. Below the post, you will find both manual a well as automatic guide to perform the removal process.

How did TabHelper infiltrate in?

PUAs are often distributed via the downloaders/ installers of other programs. Bundling is the name given to the deceptive marketing method of packing one app with unwanted or malicious additions. By rushing through the download/ installation processes- users increase the risk of inadvertent installation of unwanted apps to their systems. Intrusive ads can cause PUAs infection as well. Once clicked on, they can execute certain scripts to cause stealthy download/ installation.

How to prevent PUAs installation?

Only official websites and direct links should be used for any downloads. Untrustworthy downloading channels such as unofficial and free file hosting sites, p2p sharing networks and other third-party downloaders- they often offer deceptive and dangerous content. When downloading/installing, it is advised to read all terms, study possible option, use Custom/Advanced settings and opt out all additionally attached apps, tools, functions and etc.

Intrusive ads appear ordinary and legitimate, however, they redirect to various questionable websites. If you encounter any ads/ redirects, you should check your system for dubious apps and browser extensions/ plug-ins installed and must remove them if you found any. Since you are already infected with TabHelper, focus on its removal right now. Download/ install some reputable antivirus tool, run a full system scan using it and continue with recommended actions to delete the infection completely.

Remove Files and Folders Related to TabHelper

Open the “Menu” bar and click the “Finder” icon. Select “Go” and click on “Go to Folder…”

Step 1: Search the suspicious and doubtful malware generated files in /Library/LaunchAgents folder

Type /Library/LaunchAgents in the “Go to Folder” option

In the “Launch Agent” folder, search for all the files that you have recently downloaded and move them to “Trash”. Few of the examples of files created by browser-hijacker or adware are as follow, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.Itvbit.plist”, installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, and “kuklorest.update.plist” and so on.

Step 2: Detect and remove the files generated by the adware in “/Library/Application” Support folder

In the “Go to Folder..bar”, type “/Library/Application Support”

Search for any suspicious newly added folders in “Application Support” folder. If you detect any one of these like “NicePlayer” or “MPlayerX” then send them to “Trash” folder.

Step 3: Look for the files generated by malware in /Library/LaunchAgent Folder:

Go to Folder bar and type /Library/LaunchAgents

You are in the “LaunchAgents” folder. Here, you have to search for all the newly added files and move them to “Trash” if you find them suspicious. Some of the examples of suspicious files generated by malware are “myppes.download.plist”, “installmac.AppRemoved.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist” and so on.

Step4: Go to /Library/LaunchDaemons Folder and search for the files created by malware

Type /Library/LaunchDaemons in the “Go To Folder” option

In the newly opened “LaunchDaemons” folder, search for any recently added suspicious files and move them to “Trash”. Examples of some of the suspicious files are “com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preference.plist”, “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist” and so on.

Step 5: Use Combo Cleaner Anti-Malware and Scan your Mac PC

The malware infections could be removed from the Mac PC if you execute all the steps mentioned above in the correct way. However, it is always advised to be sure that your PC is not infected. It is suggested to scan the work-station with “Combo Cleaner Anti-virus”.

Once the file gets downloaded, double click on combocleaner.dmg installer in the newly opened window. Next is to open the “Launchpad” and press on “Combo Cleaner” icon. It is advised to wait until “Combo Cleaner” updates the latest definition for malware detection. Click on “Start Combo Scan” button.

A depth scan of your Mac PC will be executed in order to detect malware. If the Anti-virus scan report says “no threat found” then you can continue with guide further. On the other hand, it is recommended to delete the detected malware infection before continuing.

Now the files and folders created by the adware is removed, you have to remove the rogue extensions from the browsers.

Remove TabHelper from Internet Browsers

Delete Doubtful and Malicious Extension from Safari

Go to “Menu Bar” and open “Safari” browser. Select “Safari” and then “Preferences”

In the opened “preferences” window, select “Extensions” that you have recently installed. All such extensions should be detected and click the “Uninstall” button next to it. If you are doubtful then you can remove all the extensions from “Safari” browser as none of them are important for smooth functionality of the browser.

In case if you continue facing unwanted webpage redirections or aggressive advertisements bombarding, you can reset the “Safari” browser.

“Reset Safari”

Open the Safari menu and choose “preferences…” from the drop-down menu.

Go to the “Extension” tab and set the extension slider to “Off” position. This disables all the installed extensions in the Safari browser

Next step is to check the homepage. Go to “Preferences…” option and choose “General” tab. Change the homepage to your preferred URL.

Also check the default search-engine provider settings. Go to “Preferences…” window and select the “Search” tab and select the search-engine provider that you want such as “Google”.

Next is to clear the Safari browser Cache- Go to “Preferences…” window and select “Advanced” tab and click on “Show develop menu in the menu bar.“

Go to “Develop” menu and select “Empty Caches”.

Remove website data and browsing history. Go to “Safari” menu and select “Clear History and Website Data”. Choose “all history” and then click on “Clear History”.

Remove Unwanted and Malicious Plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox

Delete TabHelper add-ons from Mozilla Firefox

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser. Click on the “Open Menu” present in the top right corner of the screen. From the newly opened menu, choose “Add-ons”.

Go to “Extension” option and detect all the latest installed add-ons. Select each of the suspicious add-ons and click on “Remove” button next to them.

In case if you want to “reset” the Mozilla Firefox browser then follow the steps that has been mentioned below.

Reset Mozilla Firefox Settings

Open the Firefox Mozilla browser and click on “Firefox” button situated at the top left corner of the screen.

In the new menu, go to “Help” sub-menu and choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click on “Reset Firefox” button.

Confirm that you want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to default by pressing on “Reset Firefox” option

The browser will get restarted and the settings changes to factory default

Delete Unwanted and Malicious Extensions from Google Chrome

Open the chrome browser and click on “Chrome menu”. From the drop down option, choose “More Tools” and then “Extensions”.

In the “Extensions” option, search for all the recently installed add-ons and extensions. Select them and choose “Trash” button. Any third-party extension is not important for the smooth functionality of the browser.

Reset Google Chrome Settings

Open the browser and click on three line bar at the top right side corner of the window.

Go to the bottom of the newly opened window and select “Show advanced settings”.

In the newly opened window, scroll down to the bottom and choose “Reset browser settings”

Click on the “Reset” button on the opened “Reset browser settings” window

Restart the browser and the changes you get will be applied

The above mentioned manual process should be executed as it is mentioned. It is a cumbersome process and requires a lot of technical expertise. And hence it is advised for technical experts only. To be sure that your PC is free from malware, it is better that you scan the work-station with a powerful anti-malware tool. The automatic malware removal application is preferred because it doesn’t requires any additional technical skills and expertise.

Download the application and execute it on the PC to begin the depth scanning. Once the scanning gets completed, it shows the list of all the files related to TabHelper. You can select such harmful files and folders and remove them immediately.