Remove Hlpradc and Mac Ads Cleaner
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove Hlpradc from Mac computers
What is Hlpradc?
Hlpradc is an unwanted application that is installed through another app of this kind called Mac Ads Cleaner. Hlpradc is the reason why MacOS Catalina users regularly see a pop-up window stating that "hlpradc" will damage their computers and they should move it to the Bin. Furthermore, this pop-up often freezes operating systems. To stop this pop-up from appearing, it is necessary to remove Hlpradc and all associated files. Mac Ads Cleaner should also be removed.
Mac Ads Cleaner is an unwanted application that is distributed though deceptive web pages. The set-ups of these apps are used to promote other unwanted apps, such as browser hijackers, adware, etc. In any case, neither apps such as Mac Ads Cleaner nor other apps that are installed through them can be trusted. This also applies to Hlprad. It is possible that this app might be designed to display unwanted ads and/or gather various details. If installed, these apps might cause problems relating to browsing safety, privacy, lead to unwanted downloads, installations, and so on. Mac Ads Cleaner and Hlpradc, and all associated files, can be removed by scanning systems with reputable antivirus software (such as Combo Cleaner). You are advised to terminate the "hlpradc" process in Activity Monitor before removing Hlpradc or its files. The list of files relating to this app is provided below.
| Name | Hlpradc unwanted application |
| Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus. |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Mac Ads Cleaner, 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. |
More examples of unwanted apps that are used to distribute unwanted software such as Hlpradc include Advanced Mac Cleaner, Mac Clean Pro, and Mac Fixer Pro. Typically, developers advertise them as useful, legitimate, etc., however, they are generally useless and simply used to distribute other apps of this kind. Therefore, never trust these apps.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
In most cases PUAs are downloaded and installed through intrusive advertisements that people click, or when software developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". This method is used to trick people into downloading and installing unwanted applications with other, regular software. Typically, unwanted apps are included into the set-ups of free software (freeware). In most cases, offers to download or install additional (unwanted) software are hidden in "Custom", "Advanced", or other similar settings of the download/installation set-ups. Generally, unwanted downloads/installations happen when people leave these settings unchanged and fail to dismiss offers to download or install unwanted apps.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications
Download software from official/trustworthy websites and do not use third party software downloaders, installers, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule), or other channels of this kind. Avoid unwanted downloads/installations by checking "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings that are included in set-ups and dismissing offers to download/install additional unwanted apps. Clicking intrusive ads can lead to unintentional download or installation of software, since the ads might run scripts that start the download/installation process. These ads are often displayed on web pages relating to gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc. If you believe that an unwanted app is already installed, remove all unwanted or suspicious extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins from the web browser, and software of this kind from the computer/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:
"hlpradc" 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
Screenshot of Hlpradc files in the "~/Library/Application Support/adc" folder:
List of files that are associated with Hlpradc and should be removed from the operating system:
- ~/Library/Application Support/adc/hlpradc
- ~/Library/Application Support/adc/com.adscleaner.hlpradc.plist
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.adscleaner.hlpradc.plist
IMPORTANT NOTE! Removing the Hlpradc 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/adc/" directory, right-click on the "hlpradc" application, and select "Show Package Contents":
2) Navigate to the "Contents/MacOS" directory and delete the "hlpradc" application:
3) Once the previous steps are performed, the process associated with the Hlpradc application will no longer be automatically re-started and you will be able to easily terminate it and remove the remaining application files:
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer 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 three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is Hlpradc?
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "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 hlpradc unwanted application related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
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 same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
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 same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
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.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure 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 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 it's virus definition database and click "Start Combo Scan" button.
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.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
Hlpradc unwanted application removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove hlpradc unwanted application related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
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 normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove hlpradc unwanted application related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove hlpradc unwanted application related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!