Adware Helpers
Posted: January 4, 2013
Threat Metric
The following fields listed on the Threat Meter containing a specific value, are explained in detail below:
Threat Level: The threat level scale goes from 1 to 10 where 10 is the highest level of severity and 1 is the lowest level of severity. Each specific level is relative to the threat's consistent assessed behaviors collected from SpyHunter's risk assessment model.
Detection Count: The collective number of confirmed and suspected cases of a particular malware threat. The detection count is calculated from infected PCs retrieved from diagnostic and scan log reports generated by SpyHunter.
Volume Count: Similar to the detection count, the Volume Count is specifically based on the number of confirmed and suspected threats infecting systems on a daily basis. High volume counts usually represent a popular threat but may or may not have infected a large number of systems. High detection count threats could lay dormant and have a low volume count. Criteria for Volume Count is relative to a daily detection count.
Trend Path: The Trend Path, utilizing an up arrow, down arrow or equal symbol, represents the level of recent movement of a particular threat. Up arrows represent an increase, down arrows represent a decline and the equal symbol represent no change to a threat's recent movement.
% Impact (Last 7 Days): This demonstrates a 7-day period change in the frequency of a malware threat infecting PCs. The percentage impact correlates directly to the current Trend Path to determine a rise or decline in the percentage.
Ranking: | 2 |
---|---|
Threat Level: | 2/10 |
Infected PCs: | 31,667,949 |
First Seen: | January 4, 2013 |
---|---|
Last Seen: | March 10, 2025 |
OS(es) Affected: | Windows |
A heuristic label for PC threats often associated with Potentially Unwanted Programs and some low-level types of threats, Adware Helpers may be seen accompanying many types of applications that usually (but not always) are installed with your direct or indirect consent. Adware Helpers may be installed through software-bundling applications that include install routines for two or more unrelated products, with unwanted adware, search hijackers and other PUPs often being installed with as little attention drawn to them as possible. While Adware Helpers are not major security risks, SpywareRemove.com malware experts consider the regular removal of Adware Helpers with anti-malware utilities to be a good practice for maintaining the optimal performance of your computer.
The Trouble with Tracking Down All the Adware Helpers
The classification of Adware Helper is used for files that are common components of various types of adware, browser hijackers, Potentially Unwanted Programs and other applications that are considered nuisances more than major security threats. Adware Helpers usually are named to look like the files of any number of unrelated legitimate programs, and often double down on this disguise by using the folders of other applications for concealment. Most Adware Helpers are dynamic link library or executable (EXE) files with names that reference third-party browser add-ons like BrowserProtect.
Malware experts also warn that Conduit-based browser toolbars also have a close relationship with the Adware Helpers family. Conduit toolbars are marketed with a variety of ostensible benefits, but their major functions almost always crystallize around hijacking the homepage and/or search engine settings of your default Web browsers. Attempting to uninstall Conduit toolbars usually will not delete the associated Adware Helpers files, and your browser settings may remain hijacked until additional solutions are enacted.
Helping Yourself to an Easy Way out of Adware Helpers
Since one of the defining traits of Adware Helpers malware is its tendency to use misleading file names and file locations, manual deletion may be an unnecessary risk way of removing Adware Helpers that runs the risk of causing harm to innocent software. A safe removal of Adware Helpers should be doable most easily by using anti-malware applications to scan your computer and delete any files related to the Adware Helpers' Potentially Unwanted Programs and toolbars.
Families of PUPs closely-aligned to Adware Helpers often are updated regularly and tend to create new members on an almost weekly basis. Because newly-updated threat has a possibility to avoid being detected by outdated security software, updating your software before scanning your computer should be considered particularly important when removing Adware Helpers. However, SpywareRemove.com malware analysts consider updating software regularly to be a good safety practice regardless of all other factors – since outdated software is responsible for a huge variety of security exploits that could be used in attacks against your PC.
Aliases
More aliases (658)
Use SpyHunter to Detect and Remove PC Threats
If you are concerned that malware or PC threats similar to Adware Helpers may have infected your computer, we recommend you start an in-depth system scan with SpyHunter. SpyHunter is an advanced malware protection and remediation application that offers subscribers a comprehensive method for protecting PCs from malware, in addition to providing one-on-one technical support service.
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Why can't I open any program including SpyHunter? You may have a malware file running in memory that kills any programs that you try to launch on your PC. Tip: Download SpyHunter from a clean computer, copy it to a USB thumb drive, DVD or CD, then install it on the infected PC and run SpyHunter's malware scanner.
Technical Details
File System Modifications
Tutorials: If you wish to learn how to remove malware components manually, you can read the tutorials on how to find malware, kill unwanted processes, remove malicious DLLs and delete other harmful files. Always be sure to back up your PC before making any changes.
The following files were created in the system:%PROGRAMFILES%\askpartnernetwork\toolbar\apnmcp.exe
File name: apnmcp.exeSize: 194.63 KB (194632 bytes)
MD5: 7a7397d866f7b3654dc279f612f7915b
Detection count: 35,356
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES%\askpartnernetwork\toolbar\apnmcp.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: January 20, 2025
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Smart Application Controller\smappscontroller.exe
File name: smappscontroller.exeSize: 9.68 MB (9682688 bytes)
MD5: 0737725ccaf3e39321a07f699b092c16
Detection count: 25,147
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Smart Application Controller\smappscontroller.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: December 15, 2024
%PROGRAMFILES%\askpartnernetwork\toolbar\ars2-tmg\passport.dll
File name: passport.dllSize: 10.82 KB (10824 bytes)
MD5: 668702acdfab101d36c168d817720b20
Detection count: 9,921
File type: Dynamic link library
Mime Type: unknown/dll
Path: %PROGRAMFILES%\askpartnernetwork\toolbar\ars2-tmg\passport.dll
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: November 24, 2024
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\vlc updater\vlc-updater.exe
File name: vlc-updater.exeSize: 360.78 KB (360784 bytes)
MD5: 6312dbb5b688c3a9e6ffa2f8b76c0de5
Detection count: 5,935
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\vlc updater\vlc-updater.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: February 17, 2025
%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\updater\check-update.exe
File name: check-update.exeSize: 635.56 KB (635568 bytes)
MD5: 95cdac39d14fb5a33dae199cc414c36c
Detection count: 5,096
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\updater\check-update.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: September 7, 2024
%WINDIR%\woehptunafhkdu.boehp
File name: woehptunafhkdu.boehpSize: 736.76 KB (736768 bytes)
MD5: 7121d807de3d9bd0ab0b11f07cb88b6c
Detection count: 2,586
Mime Type: unknown/boehp
Path: %WINDIR%\woehptunafhkdu.boehp
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: July 18, 2023
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\office\documents\365\alphapassive.msi
File name: alphapassive.msiSize: 249.85 KB (249856 bytes)
MD5: ddf9bf09f6aa5a7726863448c53d5c14
Detection count: 1,321
File type: Windows Installer Package
Mime Type: unknown/msi
Path: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\office\documents\365\alphapassive.msi
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: May 19, 2024
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\appdata\roaming\e0vjqp0vu4q\tpyx55wl4yl.exe
File name: tpyx55wl4yl.exeSize: 504.94 KB (504943 bytes)
MD5: cf50771b0c37efb1b18b932c5e6de455
Detection count: 979
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\appdata\roaming\e0vjqp0vu4q\tpyx55wl4yl.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: May 30, 2024
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\appdata\roaming\crmsvc\crmsvc.exe
File name: crmsvc.exeSize: 1.41 MB (1411584 bytes)
MD5: 1b738db8087a83d31afce54d3ddfa746
Detection count: 761
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %SYSTEMDRIVE%\Users\<username>\appdata\roaming\crmsvc\crmsvc.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 26, 2020
%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\name\9180135.exe
File name: 9180135.exeSize: 1.02 MB (1024000 bytes)
MD5: 51181fc0f1d99d95c5bffc0f0aa22378
Detection count: 698
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\name\9180135.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: April 8, 2024
%PROGRAMFILES%\em43zsg403\em43zsg40.exe
File name: em43zsg40.exeSize: 856.57 KB (856576 bytes)
MD5: 4fb6e7664f0495d7abf9dc2bfc4b6ce2
Detection count: 532
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: %PROGRAMFILES%\em43zsg403\em43zsg40.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: October 8, 2020
C:\Program Files (x86)\xka0i1tlxty\LWR.exe
File name: LWR.exeSize: 502.71 KB (502715 bytes)
MD5: 864f9b8a42f237540d2a7212db86e66f
Detection count: 525
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\xka0i1tlxty\LWR.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: October 29, 2024
C:\ProgramData\CCleaner.v6.00.9727.exe_Olv7N.exe
File name: CCleaner.v6.00.9727.exe_Olv7N.exeSize: 31.82 MB (31820450 bytes)
MD5: 51528a04f8f0d12ddb74aa2bd62889fb
Detection count: 454
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\ProgramData
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: January 3, 2025
file.exe
File name: file.exeSize: 155.13 KB (155136 bytes)
MD5: de664e163fea047ca91ded1b31f7568e
Detection count: 211
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: January 14, 2021
%WINDIR%\243124d579b30a70cae52a7ca1d43b0d.dll
File name: 243124d579b30a70cae52a7ca1d43b0d.dllSize: 1.15 MB (1150464 bytes)
MD5: 697b339a848572dd37ad98c9e01d5f5a
Detection count: 136
File type: Dynamic link library
Mime Type: unknown/dll
Path: %WINDIR%\243124d579b30a70cae52a7ca1d43b0d.dll
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 26, 2020
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\wjm2C1E.tmp\update.exe
File name: update.exeSize: 8.31 MB (8314791 bytes)
MD5: b2855436b37111d6b0e64d4221e7b48a
Detection count: 105
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\wjm2C1E.tmp
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: November 10, 2021
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\DhYimEoQU\DhYimEoQU.exe
File name: DhYimEoQU.exeSize: 959.47 KB (959472 bytes)
MD5: 1492f048f848431fd781fbd14a452916
Detection count: 98
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\DhYimEoQU
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 3, 2020
C:\Windows\YzA4ZDlhNTBjOTRkN.exe
File name: YzA4ZDlhNTBjOTRkN.exeSize: 1.95 MB (1952768 bytes)
MD5: 3ee6b3c07c13d026288a2774770b658a
Detection count: 91
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Windows\YzA4ZDlhNTBjOTRkN.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 2, 2022
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\wxkYiwjjA\wxkYiwjjA.exe
File name: wxkYiwjjA.exeSize: 633.64 KB (633642 bytes)
MD5: 2bf25ffa3ca8fad7cb506b274db42b59
Detection count: 89
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp\wxkYiwjjA
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: October 16, 2018
C:\Program Files\YTgxM2Y5MTQ1ZDV\Y2E0NWI1ZGVlMTE1Z.exe
File name: Y2E0NWI1ZGVlMTE1Z.exeSize: 1.16 MB (1163776 bytes)
MD5: 8a19ba332898c8eea92763628d7f1210
Detection count: 52
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files\YTgxM2Y5MTQ1ZDV\Y2E0NWI1ZGVlMTE1Z.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: June 2, 2022
C:\Program Files (x86)\C++\257596.exe
File name: 257596.exeSize: 671.23 KB (671232 bytes)
MD5: 9a82e5d731f3a07c1493d806b5ed74ae
Detection count: 49
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\Program Files (x86)\C++\257596.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: January 14, 2023
C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\CpuHeatMapping\161011\CpuHeatMapping.exe
File name: CpuHeatMapping.exeSize: 14.84 KB (14848 bytes)
MD5: e87815880b57f0c24aae7618d126b9fa
Detection count: 30
File type: Executable File
Mime Type: unknown/exe
Path: C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\CpuHeatMapping\161011\CpuHeatMapping.exe
Group: Malware file
Last Updated: February 6, 2022
More files
Registry Modifications
CLSID{01F45309-5DDE-36CD-B0E6-C9B4BED4752B}{4DA424B1-5AD8-3EA8-B023-96DAB08B716B}{4E22700E-7CA9-30A1-9687-4CC130BB6388}{87E1A3FC-FED3-3FF7-A11C-8443C6251976}File name without pathwnzipservice.exeRegexp file mask%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\beleza.exe%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\beleza.exe%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\updater\check-update.exe%APPDATA%\ServiceControl\svcctl.exe%LOCALAPPDATA%\dsisetup[NUMBERS].exe%LOCALAPPDATA%\updt.js%TEMP%\AmazonShoppingAssistant.exe%TEMP%\UuU.uUu%TEMP%\XxX.xXx%USERPROFILE%\Downloads\This computer is BLOCKED[RANDOM CHARACTERS]%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\dsisetup[NUMBERS].exe%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks\ShopMore[NUMBERS]HKEY..\..\..\..{RegistryKeys}Software\GamesLOL AiTempSoftware\MagicSearchSOFTWARE\REALISTIC MEDIA INC.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\[APPLICATION]\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall..{Uninstaller}Amazon assistant 1.0Ebayssistant 1.0Look Picture ToolMagicSearchtelezillaYahooassistant 1.0{27097E83-0712-446C-821A-C2DBB0C1CDE1}{2C1A121C-292F-460D-BA62-3B9886D0DE46}_is1{6C044E1B-C2BD-4B47-9913-40407FA5854E}{DFAA6F11-C27B-4EC0-83AE-3AC5B124A899}
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