AdminHelper Mac virus (Free Guide)

What is AdminHelper Mac virus?

AdminHelper is malicious software that can introduce other versions of itself on your Mac

AdminHelper is dangerous software classified within the Adload malware family, which predominantly targets Mac users. This malware is inadvertently installed by users themselves, often through disguised means: it might be bundled with illegitimate software from unsecured sources or masquerade as a legitimate Flash Player update.

Once malware infiltrates a system, it begins to subtly alter its operations, initially unnoticed by the user. The presence of this malware becomes evident when a browser, such as Safari or Chrome, is used. Users will discover a new browser extension named AdminHelper, which is accompanied by several problematic issues. These include changes to the browser's homepage and search engine settings, and an increased frequency of encountering invasive advertisements and potentially harmful phishing content during internet browsing sessions.

The deeper implications of an AdminHelper virus can be severe. Users may struggle to eliminate the malicious browser extension, face recurring issues with malware components even after attempted removal, and suffer from continuous tracking of their personal information. It is crucial to address the removal of malware promptly to safeguard your personal security and protect your computer from further harm.

Adload: one of the most prominent malware types affecting macOS users

Adload, a significant malware strain targeting macOS users, was initially developed in 2017. Since then, hundreds of variants have emerged, each slightly different from the last. Despite these variations, cybercriminals consistently refine malware to achieve low detection rates by security software.

A key characteristic of all Adload versions is their use of a distinctive magnifying glass icon, typically set against a green, teal, or gray backdrop. Each version of the malware comprises two critical components: a browser extension and an application installed at the system level.

Furthermore, connections between Adload and other malware types have been identified by cybersecurity researchers. The infectious file commonly used for distribution, known as “Player.app” or occasionally “Install.app,” has also been implicated in the spread of Bundlore and Shlayer infections. This overlap raises questions about potential collaborations or connections among the developers of these various malware strains, although definitive links remain speculative.

Malware's capabilities and dangers it poses to victims

Adload's success in infecting a large number of Apple devices can be attributed to its basic yet effective distribution and operational methods, particularly on Mac platforms. To prevent infection, users should avoid downloading software from pirate distribution sites and remain cautious of deceptive Flash Player updates.

Although malware's primary objective is to display advertisements and generate pay-per-click revenue, it leverages several auxiliary features. Notably, its use of AppleScript enables the malware to evade detection by Mac's built-in defenses, such as XProtect and Gatekeeper. This evasion underscores the importance of equipping your system with additional security software for enhanced protection.

AdminHelper gains elevated permissions during installation, which are unwittingly granted by the user. This allows it to install a browser extension on Safari or other browsers, effectively hijacking the user's browsing experience. Attempting to remove the app often proves futile, as users typically find the extension greyed out in the browser settings, rendering it irremovable through conventional means.

Concurrently, the app may be harvesting various personal details, thereby posing a significant risk to user privacy. This multifaceted approach of Adload highlights the critical need for constant vigilance and robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard personal information and device integrity.

AdminHelper removal

Adload variants, often installed without the user's awareness, can manipulate users into inadvertently granting elevated permissions during installation, typically by entering their Apple ID. This vulnerability is exploited through AppleScript, enabling AccessibleInput to deploy harmful files onto the system and maintain operation persistently, even after removal attempts.

The AdminHelper virus ingeniously creates new components within the user's account, such as Login items or Profiles, complicating its removal. For users prioritizing time efficiency and seeking a more assured removal method, employing security software like SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes is recommended to automatically eliminate the virus. However, for those who prefer manual removal, specific steps must be followed.

A crucial initial step in the manual removal process involves identifying and terminating malicious background processes run by the main app. This is vital to ensure a smooth and successful elimination of the app. Not addressing these background processes can hinder the removal process, making it challenging to fully eradicate the virus from the system.

• Open Applications folder.
• Select Utilities.
• Double-click Activity Monitor.
• Here, look for suspicious processes and use the Force Quit command to shut them down.
• Go back to the Applications folder.
• Find the malicious entry and place it in Trash.

Login items and Profiles play pivotal roles in the functionality of malware like Adload. Login items are designed to launch the malicious app immediately upon the computer's startup, ensuring its persistence. Profiles, on the other hand, manipulate various account settings to maintain the malware's control and presence within the system. Make sure you remove these components as follows:

• Go to Preferences and pick Accounts.
• Click Login items and delete everything suspicious.
• Next, pick System Preferences > Users & Groups.
• Find Profiles and remove unwanted profiles from the list.

Finally, you should get rid of Launch Daemons and other configuration data left by malware. Proceed with the following:

• Select Go > Go to Folder.
• Enter /Library/Application Support and click Go or press Enter.
• In the Application Support folder, look for any dubious entries and then delete them.
• Now enter /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders the same way and delete all the related .plist files.

When undertaking the manual removal of an infection like Adload, it's crucial to understand that simply eliminating the main application might not suffice. The browser extension, a key component of the malware, often remains active and can continue to collect data and perform malicious tasks. Therefore, the first step in the manual removal process should focus on the browser extension:

Safari

1. Click Safari > Preferences…
2. In the new window, pick Extensions.
3. Select the unwanted extension and select Uninstall.

Google Chrome

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

Once you uninstall the extension, be sure also to delete all its cached data from your local folders, or it may continue to track your activities. FortectIntego is a great tool for automating this process and can also remove other junk from your system to improve performance. If you prefer doing this manually, follow these steps:

Safari

1. Click Safari > Clear History…
2. From the drop-down menu under Clear, pick all history.
3. Confirm with Clear History.

Google Chrome

1. Click on Menu and pick Settings.
2. Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
3. Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
4. Click Clear data.

If you can't remove malware components from your web browser, resetting it is a good option. Your bookmarks and other settings will not be deleted.

Safari

1. Click Safari > Preferences…
2. Go to the Advanced tab.
3. Tick the Show Develop menu in the menu bar.
4. From the menu bar, click Develop, and then select Empty Caches.

Google Chrome

1. Click on Menu and select Settings.
2. In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
3. Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
4. Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
5. Confirm with Reset settings.