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How to remove Ummhlpr unwanted software

Also Known As: Ummhlpr unwanted application
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is Ummhlpr?

Ummhlpr is one of many unwanted applications that are installed together with other apps of this kind. In this particular case, users install Ummhlpr through an app called Unpollute My Mac.

People who have Ummhlpr installed on MacOS Catalina (the latest MacOS operating system) are forced to encounter a pop-up window stating that "ummhlpr" will damage the computer and that it should be removed to the Bin. Research shows that this pop-up often freezes operating systems.

To solve this problem, the Ummhlpr app must be uninstalled and all associated files removed. We also advise that you uninstall Unpollute My Mac.

Ummhlpr scam

Typically, applications such as Unpollute My Mac are advertised on deceptive websites, which are also used to distribute other unwanted apps. For example, browser hijackers, adware, and so on. In any case, no applications promoted through dubious sites can be trusted.

Having them installed might cause problems such as redirects to dubious web pages, unwanted downloads/installations, appearance of unwanted advertisements, issues with browsing safety, privacy, and so on. To avoid this, remove Ummhlpr and all associated files immediately.

This can done by scanning the operating system with reputable antivirus software such as Combo Cleaner. Before removing Ummhlpr, terminate the "ummhlpr" process in Activity Monitor. A list of Ummhlpr's files is provided below.

Threat Summary:
Name Ummhlpr unwanted application
Threat Type Mac malware, Mac virus.
Detection Names (ummhlpr.app.zip) Avast (MacOS:AMC-AF [PUP]), BitDefender (Gen:Variant.Application.MAC.OSX.AMCleanerCA.1), ESET-NOD32 (A Variant Of OSX/GT32SupportGeeks.J Potentially Unwanted), McAfee (RDN/Generic.osx), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites.
Distribution methods Setup of Unpollute My Mac, 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.

Ummhlpr is virtually identical to other programs of this type such as Hlpradc, Smbstrhlpr, etc. Typically, these apps are installed through the setups of other programs such as Advanced Mac Cleaner, Mac Cleanup Pro, and others. We recommend that you uninstall both Ummhlpr and Unpollute My Mac as soon as possible and avoid installation of these apps in future.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

People often download and install apps of this type unintentionally when they are tricked. This usually happens when developers use a deceptive marketing method called "bundling".

To trick people into downloading and installing unwanted apps, they include them in the set-ups of other software (such as "Custom", "Advanced") and hope that people will download or install software without checking or changing them. Leaving the settings unchanged often allows PUAs to be downloaded and installed.

Unwanted apps can also be downloaded/installed through deceptive ads that execute certain scripts when clicked.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications

Download software from official and trustworthy websites. Third party downloaders, installers, unofficial web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks such as torrent clients, eMule, and other sources or tools of this type are often used to distribute unwanted software.

Do not finish any download or installation process without checking all available settings such as "Custom", "Advanced", and deselecting offers to download/install unwanted applications. Do not click intrusive ads, especially if they are displayed on dubious web pages.

These often lead to malicious, deceptive websites or cause unwanted downloads/installations. To stop the browser from causing unwanted redirects and/or displaying ads, check extensions, plug-ins, and add-ons installed and remove all unwanted/suspicious entries immediately.

The same should be applied to programs of this type installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in a pop-up:

"ummhlpr" will damage your computer.

You should move it to the Bin.

This file was downloaded on an unknown date.

Report malware to apple to protect other users

Screenshot of Ummhlpr files in "~/Library/Application Support/umm" folder:

ummhlpr installation folder

List of files that are associated with Ummhlpr and should be removed from the operating system:

  • ~/Library/Application Support/umm/ummhlpr
  • ~/Library/Application Support/umm/infAdlt
  • ~/Library/Application Support/umm/com.techyutils.ummhlpr.plist
  • ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.techyutils.ummhlpr.plist

IMPORTANT NOTE! Removing the Ummhlpr application is a rather complicated process, since deleting this application without firstly terminating its associated process is impossible - the process is automatically re-started immediately it is terminated. Therefore, to remove this application, you must perform the following steps:

1) Navigate to the "~/Library/Application Support/umm/" directory, right-click on the "ummhlpr" application, and select "Show Package Contents":

Ummhlpr Show Package Contents

2) Navigate to the "Contents/MacOS" directory and delete the "ummhlpr" application:

Ummhlpr delete executable

3) Once the previous steps are performed, the process associated with the Ummhlpr application will no longer be automatically re-started and you will be able to easily terminate it and remove the remaining application files:

ummhlpr process in Activity Monitor

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:

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:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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

Mac Go To Folder step

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

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

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

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

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

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

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan 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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

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

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

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

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google 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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

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

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (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".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

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

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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