How to remove HelperSection (Mac)

What is HelperSection

HelperSection is a type of adware targeting macOS devices, belonging to the notorious AdLoad malware family. This software primarily generates revenue through intrusive advertisements such as pop-ups, banners, and coupons, which appear on web pages and desktops. While these ads might sometimes promote legitimate services, they often lead users to scams, phishing sites, or downloads of potentially unwanted applications and malware. Unlike some members of its malware family, HelperSection does not exhibit browser-hijacking behavior but still poses significant privacy risks. It may collect sensitive information, including browsing history, login credentials, and personal data, which can be sold or misused. Installation often occurs via deceptive pop-up ads, bundled software installers, or torrent downloads. Presence of HelperSection can cause system slowdowns, unwanted redirects, and a degraded browsing experience. Removing this adware is crucial to protect both device integrity and user privacy. Utilizing professional antivirus tools like Combo Cleaner is recommended for thorough detection and elimination.

How HelperSection infects Mac computers

HelperSection adware typically infects Mac systems through deceptive marketing tactics, primarily bundled with legitimate software installers. Users often unknowingly download this adware when they opt for quick installation settings or acquire software from unreliable sources, such as torrent sites or third-party download pages. Once installed, it can present itself as a harmless application, masking its true intent of generating revenue through intrusive advertisements and data collection. Additionally, HelperSection may leverage rogue advertisements and pop-ups that redirect users to dubious websites, further facilitating its spread. Users who click on these ads may inadvertently trigger downloads that introduce the adware onto their devices. To avoid such infections, it is crucial to practice safe browsing habits and only download software from verified, reputable sources.

1. Download HelperSection Removal Tool
2. Remove HelperSection from Login Items
3. Remove/Uninstall HelperSection from Applications
4. Remove HelperSection from browsers
5. Reset browser settings
6. Remove HelperSection files and folders
7. Block HelperSection ads and pop-ups
8. How to protect from threats, like HelperSection

Remove HelperSection manually for free

Note: HelperSection sets up to start on macOS startup. Therefore, before starting the removal, perform these steps:

1. Open System Preferences, choose Users & Groups.
2. Choose your account (set up as Current User).
3. Click Login Items tab.
4. Find “HelperSection” entry. Select it, and click the “-“ (minus) button to remove it.

Note 2: HelperSection won’t quit just by closing it, therefor use Force Quit to end the process.

1. Press 3 buttons at the same time: Option, Command, and Esc (Escape). This is similar to Control-Alt-Delete on a Windows PC.
2. Choose HelperSection in the list.
3. Click Force Quit button.

Here is a manual step-by-step tutorial for full HelperSection removal from your computer. This works 99% and was checked with the latest versions of HelperSection installer on operating systems with the latest updates and browser versions.

Remove HelperSection from Applications

Remove HelperSection from Mac:

1. In the Finder sidebar, click Applications.
2. HelperSection might have an Uninstaller. If you see Uninstall HelperSection or HelperSection Uninstaller, double-click it and follow the onscreen instructions.
3. Otherwise, drag HelperSection from the Applications folder to the Trash (located at the end of the Dock).
4. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash.

Cannot uninstall HelperSection

If you can’t uninstall HelperSection using instructions above, or it keeps coming back, you can use free AppCleaner for Mac to remove all residual data and libraries of HelperSection. Follow instructions below:

1. Download free AppCleaner.
2. Drag HelperSection from Applications folder to AppCleaner window.
3. Choose files and folders you want to remove along with HelperSection.
4. Click Delete button.

Remove HelperSection add-on from your browsers

Removing HelperSection from Applications often does not bring the desired effect. It is a browser extension, and it may still be active in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Here are instructions on how to remove the HelperSection extension from your browsers manually.

Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Click Extensions tab.
3. Find HelperSection extension.
4. Click Uninstall button to remove it.

Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://extensions.
3. Find HelperSection extension.
4. Click the trash can icon to remove it.

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:addons.
3. Choose HelperSection extension.
4. Click Disable or Remove button.

Reset browser settings

To finish HelperSection removal, reset your browser settings to make sure, there are no leftover items in browser folders.

Reset Safari:

1. Start Safari on your Mac, click Safari to open drop-down menu and choose Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy section of Safari’s preferences.
3. Click Remove All Website Data button.
4. In the opened window, click Remove Now button to remove data stored by websites in Safari.
5. Go to the Advanced section of Safari’s preferences.
6. Click the Show Develop menu in menu bar option.
7. In the menu, click Develop and select Empty Caches from this menu.
8. Again, go to Safari menu and choose Clear History….
9. Choose to clear all history and click Clear History button.

Reset Google Chrome:

1. Start Google Chrome browser
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) chrome://settings.
3. Scroll down and find Show advanced settings link.
4. Click on it and scroll down to the bottom again.
5. Click Reset settings button and click Reset to confirm.

Reset Mozilla Firefox:

1. Start Mozilla Firefox browser.
2. In address box type (or copy-paste) about:support.
3. Click Refresh Firefox… button.
4. Click Refresh Firefox to confirm.

Remove following files and folders of HelperSection


~/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/Services/com.HelperSection.service.app
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.HelperSection.service.plist
/Library/Application Support/.[random_string]/System/com.HelperSection.system
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.HelperSection.system.plist


Download AdGuard for Mac to block malicious pop-ups, that promote HelperSection

AdGuard is the best ad-blocker, internet filtering, and internet security application for macOS. It can cut out unwanted banners from site pages, block pop-ups, stop redirects, and prevent users from visiting potentially dangerous resources. Use it to stop ads promoting HelperSection in browsers.

Download AdGuard for Mac

How to protect Mac OSX from adware, like HelperSection

Mac OSX is known to be one of the safest operating systems, and for a long time, there was no need for antivirus products for Mac. But with the growing popularity of Mac computers and notebooks and evolving technology, viruses, trojans, adware, toolbars, hijackers, and other malware paved the way for Mac users. We recommend you to use one of the best anti-malware for Mac available — Malwarebytes for Mac.

Download Malwarebytes for Mac