DataHandler is a potentially unwanted program (PUP) from the adware family. What is Adware? Adware is a type of invasive programs — which can hijack Apple Macs — occasionally redirect your internet browser to certain web sites so the owners of those sites can get money by showing ads to visitors. It is not a good idea to have installed adware. The reason for this is simple, it doing things you don’t know about. And of course you completely do not know what will happen when you click anything in the the adverts.
Unwanted ads
Does adware steal your personal information? Adware may monetize its functionality by collecting privacy information from your surfing sessions. This privacy information, later, can be easily used for marketing purposes. This puts your privacy information at a security risk.
Threat Summary
| Name | DataHandler, Data Handler 1.0 app |
| Type | adware, PUP (potentially unwanted program), pop up virus, pop up advertisements, pop-ups |
| Symptoms |
|
| Removal | DataHandler removal guide |
How does the DataHandler adware get on your Apple Mac
The majority of adware is bundled within free software or even paid programs which Internet users can easily download online. The setup files of such applications, most commonly, clearly indicate that they will install bundled software. The option is given to users to stop the installation of any additional applications. So, in order to avoid the setup of any adware: read all disclaimers and install screens very carefully, select only Custom or Advanced setup method and reject all optional software in which you are unsure.
We strongly advise that you perform the step-by-step guidance below that will help you to remove DataHandler adware using the standard features of Windows and some proven free applications.
How to Remove DataHandler adware (removal guide)
The following few simple steps will help you to delete DataHandler ads from the Firefox, Safari and Chrome. Moreover, the few simple steps below will help you to remove malware, hijacker infections, potentially unwanted apps and toolbars that your computer may be infected. Please do the tutorial step by step. If you need help or have any questions, then ask for our assistance or type a comment below. Read it once, after doing so, please bookmark this page (or open it on your smartphone) as you may need to exit your web browser or reboot your machine.
To remove DataHandler, execute the following steps:
- How to manually delete DataHandler
- Automatic Removal of DataHandler
- How to stay safe online
- To sum up
How to manually delete DataHandler
Looking for a solution to get rid of DataHandler adware software manually without installing any applications? Then this section of the post is just for you. Below are some simple steps you can take. Performing these steps requires basic knowledge of web browser and Windows setup. If you doubt that you can follow them, it is better to use free utilities listed below that can allow you remove DataHandler adware software.
Uninstalling the DataHandler, check the list of installed apps first
First method for manual adware removal is to go into the Finder, then Applications. Take a look at the list of programs on your Apple Mac and see if there are any suspicious and unknown programs. If you see any, you need to remove them. Of course, before doing so, you can do an Internet search to find details on the program. If it is a potentially unwanted program, adware or malicious software, you will likely find information that says so.
- Open the Finder.
- Click “Applications”.
- It will open a list of all applications installed on the computer.
- Scroll through the all list, and delete questionable and unknown programs. Pay maximum attention to the program you installed last.
- Drag the questionable program from the Applications folder to the Trash.
- Empty Trash.
Remove DataHandler from Safari
By resetting Safari browser you revert back your browser settings to its default state. This is good initial when troubleshooting problems that might have been caused by DataHandler .
Click Safari menu and choose “Preferences”.
It will open the Safari Preferences window. Next, click the “Extensions” tab. Look for unknown and suspicious plugins on left panel, choose it, then click the “Uninstall” button. Most important to remove all unknown plugins 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 DataHandler from Mozilla Firefox by resetting browser settings
The Firefox reset will get rid of the unwanted DataHandler ads, modified preferences, extensions and security settings. Your saved bookmarks, form auto-fill information and passwords won’t be cleared or changed.
First, run the Mozilla Firefox and click 
button. It will show the drop-down menu on the right-part of the browser. Further, click the Help button (
) such as the one below.
In the Help menu, select the “Troubleshooting Information” option. Another way to open the “Troubleshooting Information” screen – type “about:support” in the web-browser adress bar and press Enter. It will open the “Troubleshooting Information” page as shown below. In the upper-right corner of this screen, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
It will display the confirmation dialog box. Further, click the “Refresh Firefox” button. The Firefox will begin a task to fix your problems that caused by the DataHandler adware. Once, it is done, click the “Finish” button.
Remove DataHandler adware software from Chrome
This step will show you how to reset Google Chrome browser settings to default values. This can remove DataHandler ads and fix some surfing issues, especially after adware infection. However, your saved bookmarks and passwords will not be lost. This will not affect your history, passwords, bookmarks, and other saved data.
Open the Google Chrome menu by clicking on the button in the form of three horizontal dotes (
). It will open the drop-down menu. Select More Tools, then click Extensions.
Carefully browse through the list of installed addons. If the list has the extension labeled with “Installed by enterprise policy” or “Installed by your administrator”, then complete the following tutorial: Remove Chrome extensions installed by enterprise policy otherwise, just go to the step below.
Open the Chrome main menu again, click to “Settings” option.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Advanced” link. Now scroll down until the Reset settings section is visible, like below and click the “Reset settings to their original defaults” button.
Confirm your action, press the “Reset” button.
Automatic Removal of DataHandler
Best DataHandler adware removal tool should scan for and remove adware, malicious software, potentially unwanted software, toolbars, hijacker infections, and popup generators. The key is locating one with a good reputation and these features. Most quality applications listed below offer a free scan and malicious software removal so you can scan for and remove unwanted apps without having to pay.
How to automatically remove DataHandler with MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM)
Manual DataHandler adware removal requires some computer skills. Some files that created by the adware software can be not fully removed. We advise that use the MalwareBytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) that are completely free your Apple Mac of adware. Moreover, this free tool will help you to delete browser hijacker, malware, potentially unwanted programs and toolbars that your MAC OS can be infected too.
MalwareBytes Anti Malware can be downloaded from the following link.
20842 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: September 10, 2020
When downloading is finished, close all apps and windows on your MAC. Open a directory in which you saved it. Run the saved file and follow the prompts.
Once installation is complete, you’ll see window as shown on the screen below.
Now click the “Scan” button for checking your MAC for the DataHandler adware. A system scan may take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, depending on your MAC OS. While the MalwareBytes Free is checking, you can see count of objects it has identified either as being malicious software.
After the scan is complete, the results are displayed in the scan report. In order to remove all items, simply press “Remove Selected Items” button.
The Malwarebytes will now begin to remove DataHandler adware software.
How to stay safe online
By installing an adblocker program such as AdGuard, you’re able to block malicious websites, stop autoplaying video ads and delete lots of distracting and intrusive ads on web-sites.
AdGuard can be downloaded from the following link.
3677 downloads
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: January 17, 2018
After the download is done, run the downloaded file. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick tutorial. Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or click “Get Started” to see an quick guidance that will allow you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you run your MAC system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted popup ads, block harmful or misleading webpages.
To sum up
Now your machine should be free of the DataHandler adware. We suggest that you keep AdGuard (to help you stop unwanted pop-ups and unwanted malicious web-pages) and MalwareBytes (to periodically scan your Apple Mac for new malware, browser hijackers and adware software). Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for Mac operating system. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new browser hijacker infections, harmful programs and adware are released.
If you are still having problems while trying to remove DataHandler ads from your browser, then ask for help here.
