Hmining.mobi Redirect (Mac)

What is hmining.mobi?

hmining.mobi is a fake search engine identical to searchshp.com, searchp.icu, homesweeklies.com, and many others. By offering improved results and quick access to various popular websites, hmining.mobi attempts to give the impression of legitimacy, however, developers promote this site using rogue download/installation set-ups that modify browser options without permission. In addition, hmining.mobi causes unwanted redirects and gathers sensitive data.

After successful infiltration, rogue set-ups hijack popular browsers (usually Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome) and assign the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to hmining.mobi. Furthermore, downloaders/installers stealthily infiltrate a number of "helper objects" (third party applications and browser plug-ins).

Although these changes may seem insignificant, users are unable to revert them, since "helper objects" reassign browser settings when attempts are to change them. Therefore, returning browsers to their previous states becomes impossible and users are encouraged to visit hmining.mobi when they open a new browser tab or search via the URL bar.

This significantly diminishes the browsing experience. Note that hmining.mobi redirects users to a different website each time a search query is entered. This site is known to redirect users to the following websites: under-cover.info, search.searchgeniusinfo.com, search.playsearchnow.com, and search.yahoo.com.

This makes hmining.mobi pointless and redundant. Furthermore, hmining.mobi and "helper objects" record data relating to browsing activity. IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, and other collected data usually includes personal details that usually contain personal information.

Therefore, data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you encounter redirects to hmining.mobi, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Never return to this website.

Threat Summary:

Name	hmining.mobi browser hijacker
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

The internet is full of fake search engines that share similarities with hmining.mobi. All claim to provide "useful features" (e.g., improved search results, shortcuts to popular websites, local weather forecasts, local/worldwide news, and so on), however, these fake promises are merely attempts  to give the impression of legitimacy.

Their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, fake search engines cause unwanted redirects and record data, thereby diminishing the browsing experience and posing a threat to your privacy.

Some search engines feed users with misleading results and intrusive advertisements, typically redirecting to dubious websites. Therefore, them can result in high-risk computer infections.

How did hmining.mobi install on my computer?

As mentioned above, hmining.mobi is promoted using rogue download/installation set-ups. This deceptive marketing method is called "bundling". Developers know that users often rush download/installation processes.

Therefore, all details regarding modification of browser settings are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" options (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. By rushing and skipping steps, many users inadvertently grant set-ups permission to modify browser settings, expose their systems to risk of various infections, and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Potentially unwanted applications are also promoted using the "bundling" method and intrusive advertisements. To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet and downloading/installing software. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings and carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes.

Opt-out of third party software and decline offers to download/install them. You are advised to avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since most are monetized using the "bundling" method (developers promote rogue apps). Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links.

Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, but they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, etc.). Most are delivered by adware-type applications. Therefore, if you encounter these redirects, remove all dubious applications and browser plug-ins.

The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior. The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

hmining.mobi causing redirects to search.playsearchnow.com website (GIF):

Website promoting hmining.mobi:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is hmining.mobi?
• STEP 1. Remove hmining.mobi related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove hmining.mobi redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove hmining.mobi browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove hmining.mobi homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

hmining.mobi redirect removal:

Remove hmining.mobi-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX","NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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