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Remove Helperamc files from your computer

Also Known As: Helperamc unwanted application
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is Helperamc?

Helperamc is an unwanted application that is installed through another dubious app called Advanced Mac Cleaner. Research shows that people with Helperamc installed on their Mac computers continually encounter pop-up messages that freeze the operating system and encourage them to move Helperamc to Trash.

This problem occurs mostly on Catalina, later MacOS systems, however, users of previous versions might also experience this problem.

Helperamc virus

Typically, applications or files that appear on systems through dubious apps (such as Advanced Mac Cleaner) should not be trusted. It is very likely that these apps (or files) could be related to adware or other potentially unwanted applications (PUAs). They might display advertisements, force browsers to open untrustworthy websites, and so on.

If clicked, the ads might lead to unwanted downloads, installations, or open various dubious, deceptive web pages. These sites might be designed to trick people into downloading or installing unwanted applications, potentially malicious software. Advanced Mac Cleaner is distributed through these deceptive web pages.

Since Helperamc is associated with Advanced Mac Cleaner, we recommend that you remove it. We advise that you scan MacOS with antivirus software (such as Combo Cleaner) and remove all files relating to Helperamc and/or Advanced Mac Cleaner.

A list of files that should NOT be present on the system is provided below. Note, before removing them, terminate the "helperamc" process via Activity Monitor.

Threat Summary:
Name Helperamc unwanted application
Threat Type Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names Avast (MacOS:AMC-BL [PUP]), BitDefender (Application.MAC.AMCleaner.HO), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.BJ Potentially Unwanted), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Amc.a), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal)
Symptoms Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods Advanced Mac Cleaner setup, deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)

To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

There are many PUAs on the internet. In most cases, they are advertised as legitimate, useful, and so on, however, they are generally useless and often cause problems. They are commonly advertised through dubious websites. Do not trust these apps and uninstall them immediately.

Some examples of apps similar to Advanced Mac Cleaner are Qbit Mac Optimizer, Mac Clean Pro, and Mac Fixer Pro.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Unwanted apps usually infiltrate systems without users' knowledge (people install them unintentionally). Unwanted installations/downloads usually happen through clicked deceptive ads or the set-ups of other programs. In many cases, developers use the set-ups of other programs to trick people into downloading or installing unwanted apps.

To achieve this, they include unwanted apps in the set-ups and hide them in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings. When people leave these settings unchanged, they allow unwanted software to be downloaded or installed together with software that they have downloaded or installed intentionally.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download programs from trustworthy, official websites. Do not use third party software downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule) or other similar channels. Check "Advanced", "Custom", and other settings included in any setup and deselect offers to install/download unwanted apps.

If unwanted ads appear on visited web pages and/or the browser causes unwanted redirects, it is likely that adware or other PUAs are installed on the browser or operating system. In such cases, remove all unwanted extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons from the browser and programs of this kind from the operating system.

If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented within this pop-up:

"amcuninstall" will damage your computer.

You should move it to the Bin.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

Report malware to apple to protect other users

Helperamc files in the "~/Library/Application Support/amc/" folder:

helperamc folder contents

List of files that are associated with Helperamc and should be removed from the system:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/amc/helperamc
  • ~/Library/Application Support/amc/amcuninstall
  • ~/Library/Application Support/amc/com.pcv.amcuninstall.plist
  • ~/Library/Application Support/amc/com.pcv.hlpramcn.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.pcv.hlpramcn.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Removing the Helperamc application is a rather complicated process, since deleting this application without firstly terminating its associated process is impossible - the process is automatically re-started immediately it is terminated. Therefore, to remove this application, you must perform the following steps:

1) Navigate to the "~/Library/Application Support/amc/" directory, right-click on the "helperamc" application, and select "Show Package Contents":

Helperamc Show Package Contents

2) Navigate to the "Contents/MacOS" directory and delete the "helperamc" application:

Helperamc delete executable

3) Once the previous steps are performed, the process associated with the Helperamc application will no longer be automatically re-started and you will be able to easily terminate it and remove the remaining application files:

Helperamc process in Activity Monitor

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

Video showing how to remove Helperamc application using Combo Cleaner:

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

mac browser hijacker removal from applications folder

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

QR Code
Helperamc unwanted application QR code
Scan this QR code to have an easy access removal guide of Helperamc unwanted application on your mobile device.
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Platform: macOS

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To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.