Com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper Mac

anti-malware offerOFFER *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy, and more details about Free Remover.

Com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper

Com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper is an add-on to Mac browsers that redirects to sponsored websites when installed. com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper is mainly used as a tool for aggressive online promotion and auto-redirects and can interrupt the users’ web browsing by spamming their screen with pop-up ads and banners.

Com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper
The “com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper will damage your computer” virus will display pop up messages and notifications

Many users may find that, as soon as they install com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper on their Safari, Chrome, Explorer or any other web browser that they use a default, their web browsing experience isn’t the same anymore. A new search engine and a different homepage typically come along with the newly installed program and don’t want to get removed from the browser in any way. In addition, their screen starts getting spammed with various ads, pop-up notifications and banners that are powered by com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper and redirect to various sponsored pages.

Typically, due to these activities the program is instantly visible and, unlike Trojans, Ransomware, and other dangerous viruses, it isn’t designed to stay hidden and unnoticed. Quite the opposite – com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper is a browser hijacker that would do anything to be seen and to collect ad-clicks from users. Some of the most common symptoms that people report after they have installed com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper on their Mac are related to sudden page redirects, as well as the generation of hard-to remove banners and pop-up adverts on literally every web page that they visit, even on pages that usually don’t publish aggressive ads.

Mac VPN Helper for Mac

Mac VPN Helper for Mac is a browser hijacker compatible with Mac browsers, which tends to advertise various websites on your screen as you browse the web. Mac VPN Helper may also review your browsing history in order to identify which sites you visit the most and what kind of products you are looking for.

Once the hijacker gets enough details, it tries to redirect you to sites that are matching your search terms and to promote more relevant advertisements on your screen with the hope that you click on them. The more ads and links you click on, the more money the intrusive software can generate for its developers which earn from pay-per-click and pay-per-visit online advertising models.

What is MacVPNHelper?

MacVPNHelper is an app that promotes websites and seeks to redirect you to them by actively displaying pop-up notices, ads, banners and page-redirect prompts on your browser. In general, MacVPNHelper is not a malicious program but not every website it promotes can be trusted.

In regard to your online safety, the suggested course of action when you find a browser hijacker like this one in your browser, is to uninstall it. In this way, not only will you remove the unwanted search engine and the related homepage, but also will regain full control of your browser and will be able to place your own configurations. For detailed instructions on how to do that, please follow the removal guide at the end of the article or use the professional com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper removal tool.

The com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper app

The com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper app is online advertising tool that is not harmful but can make unwelcome changes to the main Mac browser. Typically, the com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper app prompts its users to click on sponsored search results and pay-per-click ads by filling their screen with promotional online advertisements.

If you are unfortunate, a single click on a misleading link or a fake web ad can redirect you to websites embedded with viruses and malware such as Trojans and Ransomware. That’s why, even though this is not always the case, we recommend our readers to avoid the risk by uninstalling the browser hijacker from their system.

SUMMARY:

NameCom.macvpn.MacVPNHelper
TypeAdware
Danger LevelMedium (nowhere near threats like Ransomware, but still a security risk)
SymptomsA Browser Hijacker will actively display various ads on your screen and will redirect your searches to sponsored domains.
Distribution MethodDevelopers commonly distribute Browser Hijackers in free file bundles, torrents, spam messages and automatic installation managers.
Detection Tool

anti-malware offerOFFER *Free Remover allows you, subject to a 48-hour waiting period, one remediation and removal for results found. SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy, and more details about Free Remover.

Com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper Mac Virus Removal

For a quick way to remove com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper try to do this inside your Mac browser:

  1. Open your Mac browser.
  2. Go to Preferences.
  3. Now navigate to the extensions sub-menu.
  4. Look for any unfamiliar entries, including com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper.
  5. Remove com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper from your Mac as well as any other suspicious-looking items by clicking on the trash bin icon.

If this does not help then continue reading this article for more detailed instructions on how to get rid of com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper!

Step1

The first thing you need to do is to Quit Safari (if it is opened). If you have trouble closing it normally, you may need to Force Quit Safari:

You can choose the Apple menu and click on Force Quit.

Alternatively, you can simultaneously press (the Command key situated next to the space bar), Option (the key right next to it) and Escape (the key located at the upper left corner of your keyboard).

If you have done it right a dialog box titled Force Quit Applications will open up.

In this new dialog window select Safari, then press the Force Quit button, then confirm with Force Quit again.

Close the dialog box/window.

Step2

WARNING! READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING!

Start Activity Monitor by opening up Finder, then proceed to activity-monitor

Once there, look at all the processes: if you believe any of them are hijacking your results, or are part of the problem, highlight the process with your mouse, then click the “i” button at the top. This will open up the following box:

chromeinfo

Now click on Sample at the bottom:

chromesample

Do this for all processes you believe are part of the threat, and run any suspicious files in our online virus scanner, then delete the malicious files:

Each file will be scanned with up to 64 antivirus programs to ensure maximum accuracy
This scanner is free and will always remain free for our website's users.
This file is not matched with any known malware in the database. You can either do a full real-time scan of the file or skip it to upload a new file. Doing a full scan with 64 antivirus programs can take up to 3-4 minutes per file.
Drag and Drop File Here To Scan
Drag and Drop File Here To Scan
Loading
Analyzing 0 s
Each file will be scanned with up to 64 antivirus programs to ensure maximum accuracy
    This scanner is based on VirusTotal's API. By submitting data to it, you agree to their Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and to the sharing of your sample submission with the security community. Please do not submit files with personal information if you do not want them to be shared.

    Step3

    The next step is to safely launch Safari again. Press and hold the Shift key while relaunching Safari. This will prevent Safari’s previously opened pages from loading again. Once Safari is opened up, you can release the Shift key.

    On the off chance that you are still having trouble with scripts interrupting the closing of unwanted pages in Safari, you may need to take some additional measures.

    First, Force Quit Safari again.

    Now if you are using a Wi-Fi connection turn it off by selecting Wi-Fi off in you Mac’s Menu. If you are using a cable internet (Ethernet connection), disconnect the Ethernet cable.

    Step4

    Re-Launch Safari but don’t forget to press and hold the Shift button while doing it, so no previous pages can be opened up. Now, Click on Preferences in the Safari menu,

    Preferences in Safari

    and then again on the Extensions tab,

    extensions in safari

    Select and Uninstall any extensions that you don’t recognize by clicking on the Uninstall button. If you are not sure and don’t want to take any risks you can safely uninstall all extensions, none are required for normal system operation.
    Step5

    The threat has likely infected all of your browsers. The instructions below need to be applied for all browsers you are using.

    Again select Preferences in the Safari Menu, but this time click on the Privacy tab,
    Privacy in Safari

    Now click on Remove All Website Data, confirm with Remove Now. Keep in mind that after you do this all stored website data will be deleted. You will need to sign-in again for all websites that require any form of authentication.

    Still in the Preferences menu, hit the General tab

    General Tab in Safari

    Check if your Homepage is the one you have selected, if not change it to whatever you prefer.
    Default Home Page

    Select the History menu this time, and click on Clear History. This way you will prevent accidentally opening a problematic web page again.

    firefox-512 How to Remove com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper From Firefox in OSX:

    Open Firefox, click on mozilla menu (top right) ——-> Add-ons. Hit Extensions next.

    pic 6

    The problem should be lurking somewhere around here – Remove it. Then Refresh Your Firefox Settings.


    chrome-logo-transparent-backgroundHow to Remove com.macvpn.MacVPNHelper From Chrome in OSX:

    Start Chrome, click chrome menu icon —–>More Tools —–> Extensions. There, find the malware and select chrome-trash-icon.

    pic 8

    Click chrome menu icon again, and proceed to Settings —> Search, the fourth tab, select Manage Search Engines. Delete everything but the search engines you normally use. After that Reset Your Chrome Settings.

    If the guide doesn’t help, download the anti-virus program we recommended or try our free online virus scanner. Also, you can always ask us in the comments for help!

    blank

    About the author

    blank

    Lidia Howler

    Lidia is a web content creator with years of experience in the cyber-security sector. She helps readers with articles on malware removal and online security. Her strive for simplicity and well-researched information provides users with easy-to-follow It-related tips and step-by-step tutorials.

    Leave a Comment