How To Remove OpenProcess Adware On Mac [Easy Steps]
Before we dive in
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Adware can be a frustrating issue for Mac users, disrupting your browsing experience and exposing you to significant security risks.
OpenProcess is one such adware application that needs prompt attention. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to remove OpenProcess adware from your Mac and keep your system safe.
What exactly is OpenProcess?
OpenProcess is a malicious application that can land on your Mac. It is part of the AdLoad group of Mac adware app clones.
It often sneaks onto systems bundled with free downloads, misleading websites, or rogue ads.
Once installed, OpenProcess integrates itself into your Mac and begins displaying intrusive advertisements, redirecting your browser to unwanted sites, and potentially exposing you to more severe threats.
Adware like OpenProcess can affect both your Mac’s performance and your online safety. These applications typically inject advertisements into webpages, alter your search results, and even redirect you to phishing or malware-laden sites.
They can also take advantage of push notification prompts to trick you into installing rogue browser extensions or other malicious programs.
How adware affects you and your online experience
Adware doesn’t just display annoying ads; it poses real security risks:
- Rogue advertisements: These ads may lead to malicious sites designed to steal personal information or trick you into downloading harmful software.
- Browser redirects: Redirects to suspicious sites can expose you to phishing attacks and additional malware.
- Push notification abuse: Misleading prompts may convince you to enable notifications, opening the door to spam or further adware installations.
- Data privacy: Some adware collects sensitive information, such as browsing habits, which can be misused for malicious purposes.
Removing adware like OpenProcess is essential to maintain a secure and smooth-running Mac.
How to remove OpenProcess adware on Mac
Follow these steps to completely remove OpenProcess adware and its associated files from your Mac.
1. Remove OpenProcess from Applications
Start by uninstalling the main application:
- Open the
Finder
on your Mac and go to theApplications
folder. - Look for OpenProcess or any suspiciously named applications.
- Drag and drop the application in the
Trash
. - Empty the
Trash
by right-clicking on the Trash icon in the Dock and selectingEmpty Trash
.
2. Delete leftover files from various directories
Adware often leaves behind hidden files. Here’s how to clean them up:
- Open
Finder
and click onGo
in the menu bar. - Select
Go to Folder
and enter the following directories one by one to look for suspicious files:/Library/LaunchDaemons/
~/Library/LaunchAgents/
~/Library/Application Support/
/Library/StartupItems/
~/Library/Preferences/
- Look for files or folders associated with OpenProcess or names that seem out of place (for example “com.OpenProcess.plist”).
- Delete these files by moving them to the
Trash
. - Empty the
Trash
to finalize the removal.
3. Reset your web browsers
Adware often alters browser settings. Reset your browsers to remove unwanted extensions and restore default settings.
Reset Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Go to
Settings > Reset settings > Restore settings to their original defaults
. - Confirm the action by clicking
Reset settings
.
Reset Safari
- Open Safari and go to
Settings > Extensions
. - Remove any extensions you don’t recognize or trust.
- Go to
Settings > General
and reset your homepage to your preferred start page. - Clear browsing data by selecting
History > Clear History
.
Reset Firefox
- Open Firefox and click on the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-right corner.
- Go to
Help > More Troubleshooting Information
. - Click
Refresh Firefox
. - Confirm the action to reset the browser.
4. Clean your Mac with SpyHunter
SpyHunter is a robust anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove adware, malware, and other threats. Follow these steps to use SpyHunter to clean your Mac from OpenProcess and all other present malware:
- Download the app for free and install it on your Mac.
- Launch the installed SpyHunter app and use the main menu buttons to start a full system scan.
- Wait for the results to come up and examine the list of detections.
- Use the interface buttons to have SpyHunter clean all discovered threats from your Mac.
Precautionary tips to avoid malware
Prevent future infections by following these simple tips:
- Be cautious when downloading free software; always use trusted sources.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious ads or pop-ups.
- Decline push notification prompts from unfamiliar websites.
- Regularly update macOS and installed applications to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Use a reliable anti-malware tool, like SpyHunter, for real-time protection.