HT202152: Mac App Store: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Macuser31

Q: How do I remove adware from Safari?

when surfing the Internet adverts keep on opening up in tabs on Safari. Whilst browsing on Amazon and Currys website small panes open up. Is this adware? Can it only be removed by uninstalling Safari and reinstalling it?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Jul 19, 2015 1:52 AM

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Q: How do I remove adware from Safari?

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  • by dominic23,

    dominic23 dominic23 Jul 19, 2015 1:56 AM in response to Macuser31
    Level 8 (41,723 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 19, 2015 1:56 AM in response to Macuser31

    1. Use  free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac/ AdwareMedic to remove adware

     

         http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

     

     

     

       Download, install , open,  and run it by clicking “Scan for Adware” button   to remove adware.

       Once done, quit Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

     

       or

     

       Remove the adware manually by following the “HowTo” from Apple.

       http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987

     

      

     

    2. Safari > Preferences > Extensions

        Turn those off and relaunch Safari.

        Turn those on one by one and test.

     

    3. Safari > Preferences >  Search > Search Engine :

        Select your preferred   search engine.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 19, 2015 8:39 AM in response to Macuser31
    Level 10 (207,995 points)
    Applications
    Jul 19, 2015 8:39 AM in response to Macuser31

    First, all so-called "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" software is harmful in one way or another, is never needed to solve any real problem, and should not be installed.

    You may have installed one or more of the common types of ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it. It's been reported that some variants of the "VSearch" malware block access to the page. If that happens, start in safe mode by holding down the shift key at the startup chime, then try again.

    Back up all data before making any changes.

    One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.

    If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, ask for further instructions.

    Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. Chances are you got it from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic," "CNET Download," or "SourceForge." Never visit any of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.

    Malware is also found on websites that traffic in pirated content such as video. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.

    In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere  should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.

    Still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked

              Install system data files and security updates (OS X 10.10 or later)

    or

              Download updates automatically (OS X 10.9 or earlier)

    if it's not already checked.