What is WebHelper virus and how can you get rid of it?

Despite its name, WebHelper is anything but. The WebHelper virus is a malicious program that saps your computer’s processing power, besieges you with pop-up ads, and can even log your keystrokes, stealing your passwords and other sensitive personal information.

If your computer has been infected with the WebHelper virus, you need to get rid of it before it can cause serious damage. Read on to learn the ways to remove the WebHelper virus.

What is WebHelper Virus?

The WebHelper virus is a malware program that is commonly spread via infected pop-up ads and notifications. One common way in which the virus spreads is via ads notifying users they have won a free iPhone 11.

Other common ways in which the WebHelper virus is spread are bogus emails informing users they have won millions of dollars in a lottery drawing, asking them to click a link that will allow them to receive their winnings.

Finally, the WebHelper virus is commonly spotted on illegal torrenting and streaming sites. Websites that allow users to stream or download movies and TV shows for free often have malware embedded in them, including the WebHelper virus.

When the WebHelper virus is installed, it can be identified via two components: WebHelper.dll and Utorrentie.exe. The former is a program that makes it extremely difficult to remove, as it automatically reinstalls WebHelper should the user remove it. The latter causes pop-ups and ads to be randomly displayed.

What Does WebHelper Do?

WebHelper is far from helpful. Its most obvious effect is that when it infects your system, it will drown you in a flood of annoying pop-up ads. Additionally, it also hogs a great deal of your computer’s processing power, slowing it down and making it more difficult for other programs to run effectively.

However, WebHelper’s maliciousness runs far deeper than obnoxious pop-ups and degraded performance. The WebHelper virus also monitors all activity occurring on your computer, recording it for the benefit of third parties. This means any sensitive data can be compromised.

Even worse, the WebHelper virus has a keylogger built in. Keyloggers are programs that automatically record all keystrokes made on a computer. This means that WebHelper can record your usernames and passwords, allowing cybercriminals access to your online accounts.

Ways to Remove the WebHelper Virus

If you think your computer has been infected with the WebHelper virus, you need to take immediate action. Here’s how to get rid of WebHelper.

1. Check to see if WebHelper is running on your computer

WebHelper primarily targets Windows computers. To see if WebHelper is running on your computer, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Del, then select Task Manager to see a list of currently active programs. Look for “utorrentie.exe” or “webhelper.exe”. If you find either one, you have a WebHelper virus infection.

As an alternative, you can access the Control Panel by opening the Start menu and typing in “Control Panel,” then click “Uninstall a Program” to see a list of all programs installed on your system. If infected, WebHelper will be displayed in the list.

2. Use an antivirus program to remove the WebHelper virus from your system

Whatever you do, do not uninstall WebHelper from your system using the Control Panel. This is because, as mentioned earlier, the WebHelper virus will automatically reinstall itself when you reboot your computer.

Instead, use an antivirus program to scan your system. A reliable antivirus suite using an updated database will detect all infected files on your computer. Follow your antivirus program’s instructions to remove WebHelper.

3. Change all of your passwords after removing the WebHelper virus

Because the WebHelper virus has a keylogger built in, you should assume that all of your passwords have been compromised. Once you have removed the infection from your computer, change all passwords to be on the safe side.

Protecting Yourself from the WebHelper Virus

The best defense when you’re online is being proactive. Now that you’ve removed the WebHelper virus from your computer, here are some other steps you can take to ensure that your system is protected from other viruses and malware.

One good measure to safeguard yourself online is to refrain from clicking ads. Many ads are vehicles for distributing viruses and malicious software, such as the WebHelper Virus. Adblocking browser extensions can take this a step further by keeping ads away from your computer entirely.

You should also avoid opening email attachments. Many viruses are distributed via attachments sent via scam emails disguised to look like they were sent from companies and senders you recognize. For the same reason, you should also be careful when clicking on links in emails and always double-check the sender of an email to make sure you aren’t being phished.

Make sure you’ve secured your wireless network from outside access. Hackers can potentially gain access to your router if you don’t have a password installed, or are using your device’s default password. Consult your device’s documentation and use a unique password to protect yourself.

Be wary when surfing the web. A mere click on a dubious website can be enough for malware to infiltrate your system. Steer clear of websites that don’t have a secure connection, since any data you share can be compromised.

Always update your operating system and programs to the latest versions, and turn on auto-updates whenever possible. This will prevent malicious operators from exploiting vulnerabilities in older software versions.

Finally, don’t forget the value of a good antivirus suite! A strong antivirus program conducting regular scans of your system will stop viruses and malware dead in their tracks.

WebHelper Virus: The Bottom Line

The WebHelper virus is one of the most common threats on the Internet today. Beyond being annoying and harmful to your computer’s performance, its keylogging functionality can result in the loss of your sensitive personal information.

By using the information in this article, you can keep yourself safe from the WebHelper virus and stay safe when you log online!