AgileHelp ads: what it is and how to remove it
AgileHelp is an adware app that has been bothering Mac users lately and is a part of a large potentially unwanted program family developed by the same authors. In most of the cases, the unwanted app manages to access the machine during the installation of freeware acquired from third party sites, or when users get tricked by a fake Flash update, as well as an attractive online ad.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
Automatic
Get a free scan and check if your PC is infected.
Fortect finds malware, unwanted programs and the Windows damage they leave behind, and repairs it in one pass.
If AgileHelp keeps coming back after uninstalling, a scan can find what reinstalls it.
Do it yourself · free Remove AgileHelp ads yourself 4 steps, about 12 minutes, no software needed.
Start the steps
AgileHelp ads: summary
| Name | AgileHelp |
|---|---|
| Type | Adware, Mac virus, potentially unwanted application |
| Infiltration | Potentially unwanted applications are downloaded and installed by users themselves (only malware like Shlayer Trojan proliferates other apps automatically), although they are mostly tricked into doing so. In most of the cases, they install unwanted apps via software bundles or fake updates |
| Symptoms | Unwanted advertisements on all visited websites, redirects to suspicious domains, AgileHelp profile established and AgileHelp 1.0 is attached to Google Chrome, Safari, or Mozilla Firefox |
| Main dangers | Money loss, installation of other potentially unwanted apps or malware, data leak to unknown parties or cybercriminals |
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 6 more facts
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 4 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Program | AgileHelp |
| First seen | 28 November 2019 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
Is AgileHelp ads dangerous?
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
AgileHelp is a potentially unwanted program that will spam your Safari, Google Chrome or another browser with intrusive ads and record your web browsing activities
AgileHelp is an adware app that has been bothering Mac users lately and is a part of a large potentially unwanted program family developed by the same authors.
In most of the cases, the unwanted app manages to access the machine during the installation of freeware acquired from third party sites, or when users get tricked by a fake Flash update, as well as an attractive online ad. In rare cases, AgileHelp adware might be installed intentionally, as it promises to enhance web browsing experience to users.
As soon as AgileHelp virus accesses the macOS after acquiring permission from users to get installed, it changes various settings and appends an extension to Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari web browsers. Additionally, it acquires persistence on the host machine by implementing a new profile without permission, making AgileHelp removal a difficult task.
In the meantime, users' browsers are filled with pop-ups, banners, in-text links, flashing windows, and similar unwanted ads. Besides, during web browsing, they might be redirected to less than secure websites that attempt to distributed malware by employing phishing techniques.
Because AgileHelp is often bundled with other applications, there is a high chance that it is not the only PUP on your machine. Besides, due to various redirects and sponsored links, you might end up on a scam site, which would ask you to disclose personal information, consequently leading to possible identity fraud.
In other cases, AgileHelp might link you to a fraudulent website that claims virus infections on Mac (hoaxes like Your system is infected with 3 viruses, Immediate action required, Apple Warning Alert, and similar, are common) and ask you to download an alleged anti-malware or fake system optimizer to stop the infection along with its consequences.
In reality, the proposed tools are PUPs, and their only goal is to make you purchase the full version of these apps by showing bogus scan results.
As mentioned above, AgileHelp belongs to a family of Mac viruses that has been spreading around like a plague - these malicious apps can be recognized by the distinct icon that is placed on the Doc - a magnifying glass embedded into a round, green circle. Users complained that similar apps, such as Prodigy Search, ProductEvent, or ProntoApp, were appearing seemingly out of nowhere and were difficult to uninstall.
AgileHelp is essentially the same application which name is constantly being changed by its developers to avoid detection by AV engines. Nevertheless, sophisticated anti-malware does not base the detection of malicious software on its name but rather on its behavior and changes that it makes to the system. Therefore, you cannot remove AgileHelp manually, you should try using powerful, up-to-date security software.
In the meantime, AgileHelp virus might also allow itself to read sensitive information from all websites that you visit, thanks to permissions acquired via the web browser extension. In such a way, unknown parties might harvest data like credit card information, passwords, emails, etc.
All in all, you should get rid of AgileHelp ads by uninstalling the app and the extension from the system. However, due to its persistence, you might have to reset the installed browsers to get rid of the unwanted extensions.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
PUAs trick their way into your macOS
While adware and other potentially unwanted applications are not as dangerous as malware, it is still a computer and security threat that should be avoided.
Nevertheless, these two categories do have some similarities.
While adware is distributed in software bundle packages or via fake Flash updates, users still are always prompted to enter their Mac credentials in order to let the app in. Consequently, they are installing the unwanted app themselves, even though they get tricked by unfair distribution practices - this is one of the fundamental differences between adware and malware (of course, the post-infection processes differ as well - some more, some less).
Therefore, it is important to know about the distribution tactics of unwanted programs, as many people say that they found the app seemingly out of nowhere (it is simply not true). To avoid the unexpected infiltration, follow these simple security tips:
- If possible, download apps from official sources like App Store or Amazon;
- Prompts from various sites to update the software on the system are always fake - browsers update automatically, and, usually, there is no need to hold on to the flawed and outdated software like Flash;
- When downloading apps from third-parties, ensure secure installation of the only app you intended to install by not rushing through installation steps: watch out for pre-ticked boxes, misleading offers, misplaced buttons, and similar tricks;
- Pick Advanced/Custom settings instead of Recommended/Quick ones;
- Employ reputable anti-malware that specializes in PUP detection so it can warn you about potentially unwanted software before it manages to enter.
How to remove AgileHelp ads
How to remove the AgileHelp extension
Do the browser steps in every browser and profile on the PC, then check Windows for the program that installed the extension.
Step 1: Remove extensions you did not add
In Chrome open
chrome://extensions, in Edgeedge://extensions, and in Firefox the menu > Extensions and themes.Remove every extension you do not remember adding, especially search, new tab, coupon, PDF, weather or video downloader add-ons. Check every browser and every profile, because each keeps its own list.
If an extension has no Remove button or comes back, a browser policy holds it (see "Managed by your organization" in the procedure below). The pages are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Chrome on Windows 11: More > Extensions > Manage extensions. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove a browser extension
Step 2: Uninstall AgileHelp
AgileHelp is removed like any other program, from the list of installed apps. In Windows 11 that is Settings > Apps > Installed apps, in Windows 10 Settings > Apps > Apps & features, and in both you can also use Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Select AgileHelp, click Uninstall and follow the uninstaller to the end. Then look at the entries just above and below it when the list is sorted by date: bundled programs install at the same minute.
Full procedure with screenshots: Uninstall a program or app in Windows On uGetFix
Step 3: Reset the browser
A reset removes what the steps above could miss:
- changed start pages
- site permissions
- hidden settings
In Chrome open Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults; in Edge Settings > Reset settings; in Firefox Help > More troubleshooting information > Refresh Firefox.
Tip: Bookmarks and saved passwords stay, while extensions are turned off and the search engine and start page return to the defaults.
Reset every browser on the PC, including Edge, which Windows 11 and Windows 10 always have.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Reset settings. Full procedure with screenshots: Reset a browser and fix a hijacked search engine
Step 4: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
A scan finds the parts of AgileHelp that the manual steps cannot see. In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, start a Full scan and quarantine what it reports.
Follow it with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) > Scan now, which restarts the PC and checks the disk while Windows and the malware are not running.
It takes about 15 minutes and works the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10. If either scan finds something, run the full scan again after removal until it comes back clean.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
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.
Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
The unwanted app might leave the extension installed on your Mozilla Firefox browser. Reset it as follows if you can't get rid of it manually:
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.
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.
Delete from macOS
To remove AgileHelp from your Mac, drag the app to Trash:
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.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
From our report of Nov 2019 · not reviewed since
Get rid of AgileHelp adware to avoid personal information compromise
Because AgileHelp virus creates several entries on macOS systems, getting rid of all of them might be quite complicated for less experienced computer users.
In most of the cases, dragging the app into the Trash can is enough, but not with an aggressive form of adware, as it can easily reinstall itself due to the established profile. Thus, to remove AgileHelp profile, you should go to System Preferences > Accounts> Login Items. After that, you should also check the following folders:
However, this would not conclude manual AgileHelp removal, as there is a high chance that an extension is also attached to the web browsers you have installed on your system.
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
- ~/Library/Application Support
- ~/Library/LaunchDaemons
Questions about AgileHelp ads
Is AgileHelp a virus?
Most programs that appear the way AgileHelp did are not viruses in the strict sense. They are potentially unwanted programs:
- real software that arrives bundled with other downloads and then shows offers
- changes browser settings
- starts with Windows
Some are harmless, some are annoying and a few carry adware. What makes it worth removing is that you did not choose it.
Uninstall it from Installed apps and check the startup list and the browsers for anything added the same day. If it refuses to uninstall or returns after a restart, treat it as more serious and run a Microsoft Defender offline scan.
AgileHelp will not uninstall. What can I do?
First restart the PC and try again, because the program may have been running and locked its own files. If the uninstaller is missing or fails, start Windows in Safe Mode, where most third-party programs do not start, and remove AgileHelp from Installed apps there.
If it still refuses, delete its startup entry and its scheduled task, restart, and try once more. A program that actively prevents removal is behaving like malware, so finish with a Microsoft Defender offline scan. Avoid third-party uninstallers offered on search ads; several of them are unwanted programs themselves.
An ad showed a phone number and I called it. What now?
The number belongs to scammers, not to Microsoft or an antivirus company. If you only talked, hang up and do not call back. If you let them connect to the PC, disconnect it from the internet, uninstall the remote access program they used, such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect or UltraViewer, and run a full and offline scan.
If you paid or gave bank details, call your bank at once on the number printed on your card. Change any passwords you typed while they were connected, and report the call.
I clicked on one of the ads. Am I infected?
Probably not. Clicking an ad usually only opens a page, and a page cannot install programs on an up-to-date Windows PC without your help.
You are at risk only if you then downloaded and ran a file, allowed notifications, entered card or login details, or called a phone number shown on the page. Delete any download and run a full and offline scan.
Change passwords you typed, from a clean device. Call your bank if you gave card details. If you called a number or allowed remote access, see the next question.
Why didn't my antivirus catch AgileHelp?
Many security products do not block adware or notification sites by default, because users often agreed to them, even through a misleading prompt. Notification spam installs nothing at all, so there is no file to detect.
In Windows 11 you can make Microsoft Defender block potentially unwanted apps: open Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings and turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking. If notifications caused the pop-ups, no scanner will report them; the fix is in the browser's site settings.
Can adware slow down my PC?
Yes. Adware runs in the background, loads ad scripts, opens extra tabs and contacts its servers, all of which use processor time, memory and bandwidth. Ad-heavy extensions also slow down every page, because they inspect and change it before you see it.
The effect is strongest on older PCs and when several adware programs arrived together. After removal, restart the PC and check Task Manager for anything still using a lot of resources that you do not recognise. Speed usually returns to normal once the ads stop.
Does adware steal passwords?
Ordinary adware is built to show ads, not to steal logins, and most of it never touches saved passwords. The line is blurry, though. Extensions that can read every page could capture what you type, and adware ads sometimes lead to phishing pages that ask for passwords directly.
If you entered credentials on a page reached through an ad, change that password from a clean device and turn on two-step verification. Otherwise, removing adware extension and clearing cookies is usually enough.
What is AgileHelp?
AgileHelp is an adware app that has been bothering Mac users lately and is a part of a large potentially unwanted program family developed by the same authors.
In most of the cases, the unwanted app manages to access the machine during the installation of freeware acquired from third party sites, or when users get tricked by a fake Flash update, as well as an attractive online ad.
The summary table at the top of this guide lists the type, the detection names, the symptoms and the damage of AgileHelp.
Will Fortect remove AgileHelp?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For AgileHelp, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- How-To Geek: PUPs Explained: What is a "Potentially Unwanted Program"? (read October 7, 2026)
- Virus Total: AgileHelp.app.zip (read October 7, 2026)
- Google Chrome Help: Use notifications to get alerts (no longer online) (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)