What Is the WebHelper Virus? (And How To Get Rid of It)

The WebHelper virus is malicious software that usually spreads through email attachments and links. Unsuspecting users may download the corrupted file via uTorrent. 

Fortunately, the virus can be removed with the right tools. Continue reading our removal guide for pointers on getting rid of the WebHelper virus and protecting yourself from malware.

Is WebHelper a virus?

WebHelper is a malicious virus downloaded onto devices by clicking email links or attachments. It can invade your computer and run in the background without you noticing at first. While running, it may record all your keystrokes and reduce your device speed. This malware tracks and collects information about your interests, the ads you click the most, and frequently visited websites.

Some people unknowingly install the virus using uTorrent, a free software used to download or share large files. Is uTorrent a virus in itself? No, it’s not, but it can quickly cause you to install one on your machine.

Since uTorrent has over 100 million users, there is plenty of chance that malware, adware, and other potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) will be shared among all the files. If you use a file-sharing system with other internet users worldwide, you need to have the best malware removal tools. The likelihood of needing them one day is pretty strong.

How to remove WebHelper

If you want to know how to get rid of the WebHelper virus, you should first know that it can reinstall itself if you delete or uninstall it. 

The WebHelper Virus has two components, and you need to remove both. One is the utorrentie.exe, and the other is WebHelper.dll.

The utorrentie.exe is part of BitTorrent and displays revenue ads for uTorrent clients. While the utorrentie.exe software itself isn’t the virus, it will display annoying ads on your computer and run programs in the background that often slow down your device. Additionally, those ads could link to malicious programs or add browser redirects to your device.

The WebHelper.dll automates the virus in the system. When the malware is uninstalled, this program reinstalls itself. It can cause pop-ups and advertisements on your device.

You may also find the WebHelper.exe file in the package that contains WebHelper.dll. The executable file is configured to start when you log in to your device. Here’s how to successfully remove the complete malware package from your machine.

1. Scan for and identify the WebHelper virus

Since the virus has two components, you’ll want to scan for both parts.

For Windows users:

1. Go to your Control Panel and choose Programs.

2. Under Programs and Features, click Uninstall a program.

3. Right-click on the program and then click Uninstall. Look for WebHelper.exe, utorrentie.exe, and WebHelper.dll.
   

For Mac users:

1. Go to Applications for your Finder menu.
2. Select the WebHelper.exe virus file, along with utorrentie.exe and WebHelper.dll.
3. Drag files to the trash bin.
4. Empty the trash bin.

2. Get an antivirus software

Removing the WebHelper virus can be a challenge because the files tend to replicate themselves. If that happens, you’ll want to use antivirus software that can quarantine and completely remove the malware from your device. 

The best antivirus software will take care of any malware infections you may have and help prevent future viruses from invading your computer with real-time protection.

3. Remove the virus

Virus removal is much easier when you have anti-malware or antivirus software. The software finds malicious files like Trojans and spyware for you, rather than you having to do all the work.

Depending on your antivirus product, the steps may vary but will likely follow this pattern:

1. Open your antivirus.
2. Click Scan, and select the Full Scan option.
3. Let the scan run until it finishes.

After your antivirus runs a scan, delete any corrupted files it finds. That may include WebHelper.exe, utorrentie.exe, and WebHelper.dll files.

4. Restart your computer and scan again

Restart your computer and run another scan. This is crucial since the WebHelper virus has two components. You want to be sure you’ve removed all traces of it.

You’ll know you ran the antivirus correctly when it finds the infected files. Let it finish analyzing to go through the entire process. You don’t want to stop the scan early, or it could miss an infected file.

Safety tips for avoiding malware

Tons of viruses can invade your device at any point. Over 560,000 new pieces of malware get detected each day. Although this can be alarming, you don’t have to become part of the statistic. You can implement some simple steps to lessen your chances of getting infected with viruses. We’ll cover some of the best ways to avoid malware.

Keep your devices and antivirus software up to date

When you update your devices, you install recent bug fixes and patches for security breaches. These software updates are necessary to decrease the chances of contracting a virus on your machine. If there are any security flaws, an update may restore them. Software vulnerabilities help hackers access your computer, so installing updates may increase your protection.

Installing updates can add enhanced features and remove outdated ones that aren’t helpful. These new features may add an extra layer of security to your device.

Similarly, you should always keep your antivirus protection up to date. Antivirus solutions can stop viruses in real-time, so make sure enhanced security features are enabled.

Secure your wireless network

Having an unsecured wireless network puts you at risk of getting malware, making it easier for hackers to access your most valuable information. If you fail to secure your wireless network, anyone within range of your device may interfere with your connection and monitor your activity. That allows criminals to capture your web traffic and steal your data.

Keep your network passwords private and change default passwords. You don’t want a label that shows everyone else how to access your network. It’s a good idea to encrypt your network so information gets scrambled, making it harder for others to see what you’re doing.

Be careful when downloading files

If you’re not careful, you could install malware when downloading files from the internet. Many viruses are hidden as legitimate computer files; you may not know until it’s too late.

Always download from reputable sources. If a site offers free downloads, check the website’s credentials by going to the “About” or “Contact Us” pages. If an email address contains an attachment to download, don’t open or download it without first confirming with the sender what the link is.

Before you download a file, scan it for viruses. Most antivirus software allows you to run a scan for malicious files by right-clicking on the file. For extra security, it’s also good to run your antivirus after downloads.

Watch for specific file extensions. As with the WebHelper.exe and utorrentie.exe components, file extensions that end with .exe or other executable files could be dangerous if installed. These files allow changes to be made to your device.

Change your passwords

For the best security, you should change your passwords every three months. Not changing your password could give hackers a better chance of exposing your data and stealing your identity. Creating a strong password involves using combinations of letters, numbers, and characters. If you have trouble remembering your complex passwords, consider using a password manager to create, store, and manage your passwords across devices. 

FAQs

Bottom line

The WebHelper virus is another malicious app that’s easy to download on your device. If you use any file-sharing platform, like uTorrent, you’ll want to be extremely cautious since millions of others use it, too. When many people use a system, hackers target it more frequently.

There are ways to remove the WebHelper virus, but the best security is to use antivirus software that captures malware and allows you to delete it from your device. Even if you’ve accidentally downloaded a virus, you can protect all your devices with real-time antivirus protection for better security in the future.