System Health Checker – a potentially dangerous browser extension that is promoted on bogus sites
System Health Checker is a rough browser extension[1] that is compatible only with Google Chrome web browser. It is presented as a useful tool that helps to ensure that computer’s system is working properly. However, it has nothing in common with protecting your device. It is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)[2] that might cause undesired changes in the browser. For instance, it may change your homepage and default search engine to Yahoo Search. Switching back to Google or another search provider may be complicated. System Health Checker browser extension does not have a visible icon on the toolbar. Thus, you cannot simply deactivate it. What is more, this suspicious program prevents you from accessing Chrome’s extensions. If you try to do that, you will be redirected to chrome://apps/ page. Indeed, manual System Health Checker removal might be complicated. For this reason, we recommend going for automatic elimination option and getting rid of this PUP with the help of reputable anti-malware program, such as FortectIntego. It detects and deletes the hijacker, as well as other unwanted applications that might be hiding on the system.

The so-called System Health Checker virus is distributed via suspicious websites that trigger push notifications and asks to install this add-on in order to leave the site. The reason why you end up on such website is adware infection. The adware might have sneaked into a computer with the help of freeware and started initiating redirects to misleading sites. However, if you found yourself on the Internet site that asks to install an unknown extension, you should close Chrome (or tab) immediately. Sometimes these websites disable close button, so you should force quit the browser. Clicking any other provided buttons, such as “Add Extension, “OK” or “Cancel” may lead to the installation of System Health Checker. The main purpose of this extension is unknown. However, it is suspected to be capable of tracking data or distributing potentially dangerous programs. Thus, if you suffer from redirects to suspicious sites that aggressively asks to install a browser extension, you should take care of your computer’s state. Do not wait until you accidentally install this suspicious app. However, if you already downloaded it, you need to remove System Health Checker ASAP in order to avoid possible cyber threats.

The tricky methods of PUP distribution
As we already mentioned, System Health Checker spreads via rough websites that deliver a pop up informing about a necessity to install a particular extension. The push notification claims that installation of the add-on is the only way to leave this website. Usually, the message includes “Add Extension” and “Cancel” button. Apparently, both of them are designed to install the extension. The “Cancel” button aims to trick users and force them to install System Health Checker extension. Clicking it leads changes the notification into a dialog box that suggests ticking “Prevent this page from creating additional dialogs” option. If you decide to do that, your browser will be launched in full-screen mode, and you will be forced to install it. However, in order to avoid System Health Checker hijack, you should force quit the browser instead of clicking any buttons.
We also want to point out that redirects to these sites are triggered by an adware program that resides on the computer. It might have entered the system during incorrect installation of freeware or shareware. Thus, if you have recently installed a free program under Quick/Recommended settings, the System Health Checker adware might have been installed silently as well. Bear in mind that these settings do not openly disclose about additional third-party programs that are included in the software package. In order to avoid PUPs, you need to install new programs under Advanced/Custom settings.
Tips for System Health Checker removal
System Health Checker removal requires deleting browser extension and adware program that is responsible for redirects to suspicious sites. We highly recommend performing this task automatically. As we have mentioned, this add-on is quite hard to remove manually because it prevents users from accessing Chrome’s extensions list and has an invisible icon. Meanwhile, powerful anti-malware program can quickly locate and remove System Health Checker together with its components. However, if you insist of terminating this PUP manually, please follow our prepared instructions below.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

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