Uninstalling PithHelmet
PithHelmet is a useful utility for blocking some web content, but can be confusing to uninstall.
A MacFixIt reader recently asked how to uninstall PithHelmet, a content blocking tool we noted as capable of blocking some in-line rollover advertisements, but also as a potential performance bottleneck for Safari.
PithHelmet uses the SIMBL architecture to hack code into Safari that delivers its functionality, and can be uninstalled by quitting Safari, then deleting the following files:
- /Library/Application Support/SIMBL/Plugins/PithHelmet.bundle
- /Library/Frameworks/DuctTape.framework
- ~/Library/Application Support/PithHelmet/PithHelmet.log
- ~/Library/Application Support/PithHelmet/com.apple.Safari/PHRuleSet.ka
You can then relaunch Safari, and the PithHelmet icon in the menubar should be removed.
Note that you can also disable PithHelmet by simply selecting Disable PithHelmet from the Advanced section of its menu in Safari.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
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