How to remove AdvancedHelper adware

What kind of application is AdvancedHelper?

Our team tested the AdvancedHelper application and found that it operates as adware - it displays annoying advertisements. It is uncommon for advertising-supported software to be downloaded and installed knowingly. We discovered AdvancedHelper on a deceptive page.

AdvancedHelper adware in detail

AdvancedHelper shows advertisements that can lead to shady pages. Those pages may ask to provide sensitive information, offer to download questionable software, urge to call fake technical support numbers, etc. Some of them can be malicious. Clicking on ads displayed by adware may also lead to unwanted downloads and installations.

Sometimes, apps like AdvancedHelper hijack web browsers by changing their settings. They promote shady or fake search engines. Usually, browser-hijacking apps change the default search engine, homepage, and (or) new tab page. Users are forced to visit/use certain addresses/search engines while browser hijackers are added to browsers.

Threat Summary:

Name	Ads by AdvancedHelper
Threat Type	Adware, Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names	Avast (MacOS:Adload-AG [Adw]), Combo Cleaner (Gen:Variant.Adware.MAC.AdLoad.13), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/Adware.Synataeb.G), Kaspersky (Not-a-virus:HEUR:AdWare.OSX.Adload.h), Full List (VirusTotal)
Additional Information	This application belongs to Adload malware family.
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	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.

More about adware

In addition to displaying ads and promoting untrustworthy search engines, adware can track users. It gathers mostly browsing-related information (e.g., browsing history, frequently visited pages, etc.). However, we discovered many apps similar to AdvancedHelper that can read sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, phone numbers, and more.

Adware developers can use gathered sensitive information to steal online accounts, identities, and other purposes. Also, they can sell obtained data to third parties. More adware examples are TrackAnalyser, IdentityStack, and InputView.

How did AdvancedHelper install on my computer?

Adware is often bundled with other software (mostly freeware). Users install adware alongside other software when they do not deselect it during installations. Installers containing adware have "Advanced", "Custom", "Manual", or similar settings or ticked checkboxes allowing users to deselect optional installations.

Clicking shady advertisements designed to run certain scripts can also cause unwanted downloads and installations. Fake installers (e.g., fake Adobe Flash Player installers) are also used to distribute adware and other unwanted (sometimes malicious) software. Typically, fake installers are promoted on deceptive pages.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications?

Always download apps and files from official pages and stores. Do not download them from shady websites, third-party downloaders (or stores), P2P networks, etc. Check downloaders and installers for unwanted applications before downloading or installing software. Do not trust ads on questionable websites or agree to receive notifications from these sites.

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

A window that pops up after the installation of AdvancedHelper adware:

AdvancedHelper's installation folder:

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:

• What is AdvancedHelper?
• STEP 1. Remove AdvancedHelper related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove AdvancedHelper ads from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove AdvancedHelper adware from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove AdvancedHelper ads from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove AdvancedHelper adware using Combo Cleaner:

AdvancedHelper adware removal:

Remove AdvancedHelper-related 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 adware-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 exact 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 exact 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 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.

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.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

Open the 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 regular browser operation.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the 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".

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

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (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".

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What harm can adware cause?

Adware can slow down a computer and cause other issues such as invaded privacy and diminished web browsing experience.

What does adware do?

Advertising-supported applications display unwanted advertisements. Also, they can be designed to hijack web browsers and track users (collect various data).

How do adware developers generate revenue?

Typically, adware is monetized by promoting various products, websites, services, etc. Its developers participate in affiliate programs or use other ways to earn money.

Will Combo Cleaner remove AdvancedHelper adware?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will remove adware from the operating system. It is recommended to remove adware automatically to avoid leaving files or other data belonging to adware in the system.

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