This is a blog post that has been created in order to best explain what exactly is Hmopt virus and how you can remove it effectively from your Mac.
Hmopt is one of those suspicious processes that are very difficult to be verified. Not only this, but also the Hmopt virus can be malware-related, even though the community believes that it is general adware. If you see the ““Hmopt” will damage your computer” message, we strongly recommend that you read this removal article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Hmopt Virus |
| Type | Virus or Adware for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Hmopt may be an adware or malware related process that could obtain sensitive information from your computer and/or show advertisements. |
| Symptoms | Redirects, pop-ups, banners and other forms of advertisements and suspicious behavior. |
| Distribution Method | By being bundled to other apps or being downloaded from the web. |
| Detection Tool |
See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Hmopt Virus. |
Hmopt Mac Virus – How Did I Get It and What Does It Do?
Hmopt virus could be installed on your computer by preteding to be a legitimate software helper app. Such applications often end up being added to the setups of other apps you may have downloaded, like converters, media players, etc. What generally happens is you cold encounter Hmopt in one of the install steps of those applications to be pretending to be a free extra or an optional package that is offered as a useful addon to your install. However, be advised that such applications often need to be checked.
After the app, that has the Hmopt process running is installed on your Mac, this is the message that you will see:
→ “hmopt” will damage your computer. You should move it to trash.
Many users have been complaining on Apple security forums that they could not move the process itself to the trash and it does not work. We believe that this is because Hmopt may require various different permissions from your Mac, like:
- Obtain information on the sites you visit.
- Obtain your IP and Mac.
- Read and change data on the websites you visit.
- Read and modify files directly from your Mac.
- Obtain access to some aspects of your Mac that are sensitive.
Then, the Hmopt virus may begin to perform all sorts of vile activities, such as to change and modify the following web browsers:
- Mozilla Firefox.
- Google Chrome.
- Safari.
If so, the Hmopt process may run different advertisements, like pop-ups, banners, browser redirections and other forms of ads that may begin to randomly appear on your Mac. The outcome of this is the some of these ads could turn out to be directly dangerous to your Mac and even infect it with malware.
Not only this, but do not foget the fact that the Hmopt process could belong to actual malware app that is installed on your Mac. Such apps could be rogue software, or worse, spyware apps that can have the permissions to:
- Steal passwords.
- Obtain files from your Mac.
- Track the keys you type.
- Delete files.
- Install other malware.
In any case, it appears that the Hmopt process could as well be very unsafe and its removal is strongly reccomended from your Mac.
Remove Hmopt Mac Virus from Your Mac
If your objective is to get rid of the Hmopt process from your Mac, we strongly recommend that you follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They are created with the primary idea to assist you in removing this malware version step by step. For a most effective removal, we highly recommend that you download and run a scan of your Mac, using an advanced Mac malware removal app. This app can help effectively detect and remove all Hmopt – related files and objects from your Mac.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Hmopt Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Hmopt Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Hmopt Virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Hmopt Virus:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Hmopt Virus. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Hmopt Virus. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove Hmopt Virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Hmopt Virus. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 3: Remove Hmopt Virus – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Hmopt Virus-FAQ
What is Hmopt Virus on your Mac?
The Hmopt Virus threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Hmopt Virus?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Hmopt Virus?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Hmopt Virus Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Hmopt Virus how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Hmopt Virus?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Hmopt Virus threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.