How to remove apps that open hastopnet.com and similar websites

What is hastopnet.com?

hastopnet[.]com is a deceptive website designed to promote unwanted applications. Like many other web pages of this kind, hastopnet[.]com claims that the visitor's device is infected with viruses and encourages them to remove the issue with a shady app (which it offers to download and install).

Another variant of hastopnet[.]com claims that, by installing a dubious app, the visitor is able to continue watching a video. Note that applications should never be downloaded via hastopnet[.]com or similar web pages.

More about hastopnet.com

One hastopnet[.]com variant claims that the visitor's iPhone is infected with two viruses that were installed through a recently visited adult website. Unless the visitor removes the viruses with the promoted application soon, they will supposedly damage the SIM card, corrupt contacts, apps, photos and other data.

Another hastopnet[.]com variant claims that the visitor cannot continue watching a video without a VPN application. At the time of research, hastopnet[.]com promoted an application called ProtectIO VPN. It is not safe to trust websites such as hastopnet[.]com, since they can be used to distribute malicious applications.

Even if apps promoted on such pages are legitimate, they should be downloaded directly from official web pages or other trusted channels such as App Store. Note that people do not often visit addresses such as hastopnet[.]com intentionally - in most cases, they are opened through clicked dubious ads, other untrusted pages, or installed unwanted apps.

Most PUAs are designed to open web pages such as hastopnet[.]com, but also to collect data and serve advertisements. Generally, they target browsing-related data such as IP addresses, entered search queries, geolocations, addresses of visited websites, and other details of this kind.

The might also record personal, sensitive data. The information is sold to third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse it to generate revenue. Unwanted applications also feed users with coupons, pop-ups, surveys, banners and other forms of ads. When clicked, these can open dubious, potentially malicious pages or even execute scripts designed to download and install unwanted programs.

These apps can cause problems relating to privacy and browsing safety, and are used to steal users' identities. Therefore, shady apps should never be downloaded or installed.

Threat Summary:

Name	hastopnet.com pop-up
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus.
Fake Claim	This page claims that the visitor's device is infected with viruses, or a video cannot be played without a certain application.
Serving IP Address	165.227.26.65
Promoted Unwanted Application	ProtectIO VPN
Symptoms	Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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.

Examples of similar websites

There are many deceptive pages like hastopnet[.]com online. Some examples are pushsix[.]xyz, apple-online-guard[.]com and goingapp[.]xyz. In most cases, these pages try to trick unsuspecting visitors into believing that their device is infected with viruses and installing a potentially unwanted app.

None of these web pages can be trusted, even if they promote legitimate software. If these pages are opened by the browser often, this might be due to an installed unwanted app.

How did unwanted applications install on my computer?

Apps of this kind are often distributed through the download and installation set-ups of other programs. This distribution method is known as "bundling". Developers include these apps into set-ups as 'additional offers' and hope that users will not decline them.

Generally, offers to download or install additionally-included apps can be found in "Custom", "Advanced", and other similar settings of set-ups, however, many users fail to check and change these settings. By leaving default settings unchanged, they agree with offers to download and install additionally-included apps.

In some cases, unwanted downloads and installations are caused by clicking advertisements that execute certain scripts.

How to avoid installation of unwanted applications

Do not download or install software through third party downloaders, installers, torrent clients, eMule (and other Peer-to-Peer networks), unofficial websites or other channels of this kind. Commonly, these channels/tools are used to distribute unwanted, malicious apps. Software and files should be downloaded from official websites and through direct links.

Check "Advanced", "Custom" and other similar settings of all download/installation setups and decline offers to download or install additionally-included, potentially unwanted apps before completing the process. Do not trust or click intrusive ads appearing on dubious websites, since they can open untrusted websites or cause download/installation of unwanted software.

Remove any suspicious, unwanted extensions, add-ons and plug-ins installed on the browser immediately. Also remove software of this kind that is installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with rogue apps, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text in the pop-up:

hastopnet.com

Your system is heavily damaged by
Two viruses!

We detect that your Apple iPhone is
28.1% DAMAGED because of Two
harmful viruses from recent adult
sites. Soon it will damage your
phone's SIM card and will corrupt
your contacts, photos , etc.

If you do not remove the virus now , it
will cause severe damage to your
phone . Here's what you NEED to do
(step by step) :

Step 1: Tap the button and install App
for free!

Step 2: Open the App to speed up
and fix your browser now!

WARNING !

This Apple iPhone is infected with
viruses and your browser is seriously
damaged. You need to remove
viruses and make corrections
immediately.

It is necessary to remove and fix now.

Don't close this window.

** If you leave , you will be at risk **

OK

Another hastopnet.com variant:

Text in this variant:

VPN Update

Please download the free VPN app

from the Apple Store to continue

watching

 

Install & Register Now

App ("ProtectIO VPN") promoted by this variant:

To enable pop-up blocking, fraudulent website warnings, and remove web browsing data in mobile Apple devices, follow these steps:

First, go to "Settings", and then scroll down to find and tap "Safari".

Check if the "Block Pop-ups" and "Fraudulent Website Warning" toggles are enabled. If not, enable them immediately. Then, scroll down and tap "Advanced".

Tap "Website Data" and then "Remove All Website Data".

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 hastopnet.com?
• STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.

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

Potentially unwanted applications removal:

Remove 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 adware-related files and folders

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

Check for adware 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 adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware 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 adware 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 adware - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for adware 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 adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Remove malicious Safari extensions:

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.

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

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

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".

• 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".

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

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

It is a scam involving a deceptive website (or notification from a website of this kind) containing fake warnings, error alerts, or similar messages to lure users into taking certain actions.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

In most cases, these scams are utilized to steal money (e.g., by offering fake products or services), identities, sensitive information, or distribute malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

These scams are usually encountered through deceptive ads on shady pages, installed adware-type apps, notifications originating from shady websites, and similar channels. Web pages associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., illegal movie streaming pages or torrent sites) can also lead users to pop-up scams.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner is designed to scan every website you visit, detecting any that are malicious. This includes sites that deliver pop-up scams. You will be warned immediately, and access to these sites will be restricted.

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