What is MSHelper? MSHelper is an malicious software from adware (sometimes called ‘ad-supported’ software) category. It is created to mine digital currencies and display lots of unwanted ads within the Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Chrome’s screen. Of course, MSHelper malware may not cause damages to your files or Mac system, but it can greatly reduce the speed of your computer. Many people became victims of this virus. Now, computer geeks and Myantispyware lab have teamed up to create the steps which help users remove MSHelper adware for free.
Maybe you approve the idea that adware is just a small problem. But MSHelper eats your machine resources. It uses your precious GPU and CPU resources to generate digital money without your consent and can attack your MAC’s internet browsers like the Chrome, Firefox and Safari. Even worse, it can gather your surfing history and user info, including passwords and credit card numbers. In the future, user info can be transferred to third parties.
| SUMMARY | |
|---|---|
| Name | MSHelper |
| Type | Adware (CPU Miner malware) |
| Symptoms | showing in CPU of Activity Monitor at high levels |
| MSHelper associated files | /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.pplauncher.plist, /Library/Application Support/pplauncher/pplauncher |
So, if you happen to encounter MSHelper adware, then be quick and take effort to get rid of this malware as soon as possible. Follow the step-by-step tutorial below to remove MSHelper. Let us know how you managed by sending us your comments please.
Remove MSHelper virus (removal steps)
There present several free malware removal tools. Also it is possible to get rid of MSHelper adware manually. But we recommend to combine all these solutions below into the one removal algorithm. Follow the steps of the guide. Read it once, after doing so, please print this page as you may need to shut down your browser or reboot your Apple Mac.
To remove MSHelper, perform the following steps:
- How to manually remove MSHelper
- Scan your MAC OS and get rid of MSHelper adware with free tools
- Use AdBlocker to stay safe online
- How does your Apple Mac get infected with MSHelper adware
- To sum up
How to manually remove MSHelper
If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to delete the MSHelper virus from Apple Mac and the Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Google Chrome web-browsers.
Remove questionable apps using the Finder
Some of potentially unwanted software, malware and hijackers can be uninstalled using the ‘Move to Trash’ tool that is located in the Finder. So, if you’re running any version of Apple Mac and you have noticed an unwanted application, then first try to get rid of it through the Finder.
Open Finder and click “Applications”.
It will open a list of all applications installed on your Apple Mac. Scroll through the all list, and uninstall any suspicious and unknown programs. Right click to questionable program and select “Move to Trash”. Another solution is drag the program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Most important, scroll through the all list, and move to trash any unknown applications. Don’t forget, choose Finder -> Empty Trash.
Remove MSHelper malware from Chrome
Reset Chrome settings is a simple way to remove the hijackers, harmful and ‘ad-supported’ extensions, as well as to recover the browser’s search provider by default, newtab and home page that have been changed by MSHelper malware.
First open the Chrome. Next, click the button in the form of three horizontal dots (
).
It will open the Chrome menu. Choose More Tools, then press Extensions. Carefully browse through the list of installed add-ons. If the list has the addon signed with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Google Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy.
Open the Google Chrome menu once again. Further, click the option called “Settings”.
The browser will display the settings screen. Another solution to display the Google Chrome’s settings – type chrome://settings in the internet browser adress bar and press Enter
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the “Reset” section is visible, as displayed below and press the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
The Google Chrome will show the confirmation dialog box as shown in the figure below.
You need to confirm your action, click the “Reset” button. The web-browser will start the procedure of cleaning. When it’s done, the web-browser’s settings including newtab page, home page and default search engine back to the values that have been when the Chrome was first installed on your Apple Mac.
Delete MSHelper malware from Safari
If you find that Safari browser settings having been replaced by MSHelper trojan, then you may revert back your settings, via the reset internet browser procedure.
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious addons on left panel, select it, then press the “Uninstall” button. Most important to get rid of all unknown extensions from Safari.
Once complete, click “General” tab. Change the “Default Search Engine” to Google.
Find the “Homepage” and type into textfield “https://www.google.com”.
Delete MSHelper trojan from Firefox
If the Mozilla Firefox web browser is infected with MSHelper malware and you want to recover the Mozilla Firefox settings back to their original state, then you should follow the step-by-step guide below. Essential information like bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies, auto-fill data and personal dictionaries will not be removed.
Run the Mozilla Firefox and click the menu button (it looks like three stacked lines) at the top right of the web browser screen. Next, press the question-mark icon at the bottom of the drop-down menu. It will display the slide-out menu.
Select the “Troubleshooting information”. If you are unable to access the Help menu, then type “about:support” in your address bar and press Enter. It bring up the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown in the figure below.
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button at the top right of the Troubleshooting Information page. Select “Refresh Firefox” in the confirmation prompt. The Mozilla Firefox will start a process to fix your problems that caused by the MSHelper malware that uses your GPU to mine digital money. After, it is complete, press the “Finish” button.
Scan your MAC OS and get rid of MSHelper adware with free tools
The easiest way to get rid of MSHelper adware is to use an anti malware program capable of detecting this MSHelper malware. We recommend try MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) or another free malicious software remover that listed below. It has excellent detection rate when it comes to ad-supported software, browser hijackers and other PUPs.
How to get rid of MSHelper with MalwareBytes AntiMalware
Manual MSHelper trojan removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware can be not completely removed. We suggest that use the MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) that are completely clean your Apple Mac of adware. Moreover, the free application will allow you to get rid of malware, PUPs, hijackers and toolbars that your computer may be infected too.
Please go to the link below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) for Mac OS.
20842 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
When the download is finished, close all programs and windows on your MAC system. Run the saved file. Follow the prompts.
The MalwareBytes Anti-Malware will automatically start and you can see its main screen as shown in the following example.
Now press the “Scan” button to begin scanning your computer for the MSHelper trojan which can mine digital currency using GPU. This procedure can take quite a while, so please be patient. While the MalwareBytes application is checking, you can see how many objects it has identified as threat.
After MalwareBytes AntiMalware (MBAM) has completed scanning your MAC, you can check all threats found on your MAC OS. Review the results once the tool has finished the system scan. If you think an entry should not be quarantined, then uncheck it. Otherwise, simply click “Remove Selected Items” button. The MalwareBytes will start to remove MSHelper virus which makes your machine run very slow.
Use AdBlocker to stay safe online
Run ad-blocking application such as AdGuard in order to stop ads, malvertisements, pop-ups and online trackers, avoid having to install malicious and adware browser plug-ins and add-ons that affect your Apple Mac performance and impact your Apple Mac security. Surf the Internet anonymously and stay safe online!
- Click the following link to download the latest version of AdGuard for Mac.
AdGuard for Mac download
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
- When the downloading process is complete, start the downloaded file. You will see the “Setup Wizard” program window. Follow the prompts.
- After the install is finished, press “Skip” to close the installation application and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick tutorial which will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
- In most cases, the default settings are enough and you do not need to change anything. Each time, when you launch your machine, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted ad, browser redirects, as well as other malicious or misleading pages.
How does your Apple Mac get infected with MSHelper adware
The MSHelper may be spread with the help of trojan horses and other forms of malicious software, but in many cases, the trojan gets onto MAC OS by being attached to certain free programs. Many creators of free software include additional software in their installation package. Sometimes it’s possible to avoid the setup of any trojan: carefully read the Terms of Use and the Software license, choose only Manual, Custom or Advanced install method, uncheck all checkboxes before clicking Install or Next button while installing new free software.
To sum up
Now your MAC system should be free of the MSHelper virus which can use your Apple Mac to mine crypto currency. We suggest that you keep MalwareBytes Anti Malware (to periodically scan your MAC OS for new trojans and other malicious software) and AdGuard (to help you stop intrusive ads and malicious web sites). Moreover, to prevent any adware, please stay clear of unknown and third party programs.
If you need more help with MSHelper malware related issues, go to here.
