Q: why do i keep getting redirected to mackeeper on safari?
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Jul 24, 2015 3:45 AMby dominic23,Adware is installed. Removing it will help,
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.
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Jul 24, 2015 8:26 AMby Linc Davis,First, all so-called "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" software is harmful in one way or another, is not needed, and should not be used.
This easy procedure will detect any kind of ad-injection malware that I know of. Deactivating the malware is a separate, and even easier, procedure that doesn't involve downloading anything.
Some legitimate software is ad-supported and may display ads in its own windows or in a web browser while it's running. That's not malware and it may not show up.
Step 1
Please triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C:
~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the Finder, select
Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. Press return. Either a folder named "LaunchAgents" will open, or you'll get a notice that the folder can't be found. If the folder isn't found, go to the next step.
If the folder does open, press the key combination command-2 to select list view, if it's not already selected. There should be a column in the Finder window headed Date Modified. Click that heading twice to sort the contents by date with the newest at the top. If necessary, enlarge the window so that all of the contents are showing.
Follow the instructions in this support article under the heading "Take a screenshot of a window." An image file with a name beginning in "Screen Shot" should be saved to the Desktop.
Start a reply to this message. Drag the image file into the editing window to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.
Leave the folder open for now.
Step 2
Do as in Step 1 with this line:
/Library/LaunchAgents
The folder that may open will have the same name, but is not the same, as the one in Step 1. As in that step, the folder may not exist.
Step 3
Repeat with this line:
/Library/LaunchDaemons
This time the folder will be named "LaunchDaemons."
Step 4
Open the Safari preferences window and select the Extensions tab. If any extensions are listed, post a screenshot. If there are no extensions, or if you can't launch Safari, skip this step.
Step 5
If you use the Firefox or Chrome browser, open its extension list and do as in Step 4.
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Jul 24, 2015 10:14 AMby etresoft,arenberg wrote:
I have gone through the steps of deleting Vsearch files and restarting my computer.
Hello arenberg,
The only "steps" I know of that give such instructions are Apple's and they aren't very good. I suggest you follow dominic23's suggestion and use (what was formerly known as) AdwareMedic. That will give you the best chance of eliminating whatever adware is installed on your machine. These days, adware has reached such an epidemic that running AdwareMedic is pretty much a first, automatic step in any kind of issue like this. Even if it doesn't find anything, at least then you know you don't have adware and you can investigate further.
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Jul 24, 2015 1:01 PMby Linc Davis,Apple doesn't endorse any third-party "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" product. Here and here are its general statements about malware protection, and here are its instructions for removing the most common types of ad-injection malware. None of those support pages mentions "anti-malware" products.
An Apple employee who recommends such a product is speaking only for himself or herself, not for the company. See for an example of what can happen.
No software is going to save you from the consequences of unsafe online behavior. Caution is the only reliable defense against malware attack.
You should not, of course, rely only on my opinion. Below are some comments by other ASC members.
Anti-virus software provides only extremely limited protection and can cause many problems in return.
Under no circumstances should you ever allow anti-virus software to delete something for you!
NEVER allow anti-virus software to remove files from your computer, especially when those files are e-mail messages! Assuming the message even actually contains malware, removing it this way will corrupt Mail's mailboxes and doesn't properly remove the message from the server under certain common conditions.
my draft mailbox has disappeared! Where did it go?
Anti-virus software is almost universally bad on the Mac, and isn't necessary. It won't protect you well against adware, either.
My safari won't work unless I click a link?
There actually is malware that can affect Macs, but anti-virus software is not the most efficacious method for avoiding it.
where can I find FREE anti virus 2013
So, what is this anti-virus software protecting you from? Not a lot these days. In exchange for the very real possibility - though certainly not promise - of having trouble as a result.
You can get by just fine without anti-virus at this time, though you should be aware of dangers and be cautious online.
do you need to add an anti virus on mac pros
Remove unnecessary software such as anti-malware and software that promises to clean your Mac.
Can I get my iMac refurbished?
You don’t need to install antivirus software on a Mac unless you’re running Windows on it or frequently exchange files with people running Windows.
Is OS X Yosemite 10.10 is safe without anti virus
It's not a virus. Pursuing an "anti-virus" solution is inappropriate and will cause other, unrelated problems.
Can someone recommend anti virus, anti malware
Another vote for no anti-virus.
Do I need an anti virus for my MacBook Pro?
Third party anti-virus tends to cause issues when Apple issues OS X updates, so it's not advised to install them.
Harden your Mac against malware attacks
You do not need anti-malware software on your Mac.
You do not need anti-virus software.
Thinking of buying new iMac do I need anti virus...
You really do not need such software.
Do i need an antivirus for my macbook pro 2012
You don't need any AV software. Don't bother with it.
There is no need for additional antivirus software. Most commercial antivirus software is junk and some of it is harmful.
None. You really, really don't need any.
The statement still stands that no anti-virus software should be installed.
what is the best antivirus for my mac?
Before installing any commercial anti-virus software (choosing one that isn't a scam or harmful is a daunting task), tell us the symptoms.
I think I have a virus or malware on my macbookpro
There are no viruses for Mac OS X, so you don't need anti-virus software. It will only feed your fear of a virus by giving you false-positive warnings, and slow down your system considerably. You don't need it.
Suspicious processes in activity monitor
There are many discussions about anti-spyware and anti-virus software on this forum. I believe that the general consensus is that none is needed.
Is there any need to use a Firewall, anti-spyware...
No Antivirus is the best option to keep your Mac running, since Macs don't get viruses and antivirus software only slows down the computer.
what is best 2015 antivirus program for my iMac
The implied assumption is that your iMac doesn't already have what you need, and that you have to purchase and install additional software. This is a common misconception. There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool... Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude...
Is anti-virus software necessary for my iMac?
To be honest with you, most of the Anti Virus programmes available will create problems rather than protecting the user’s mac.
which virus scanning programs are best?
OS X has its own protection built-in and updated by Apple when you install system updates. You do not need to install any protection yourself.
is there an apple/mac approved virus scan product...
The best thing for you to do is get rid of any malware on the computer and uninstall any anti-malware software you have installed.
YES, there is. It is built into Mac OS X. All you need to do to use it is keep Mac OS X up-to-date.
This built-in Anti-Virus works better and is far less obtrusive than any third-party stuff you can add on. Most of the third-party anti-Virus add-ons are JUNK.
Is there An anti-virus program for a Mac Book Pro
Virus protection applications are not needed at this time.
Don't bother with antivirus.
In fact Mac does not need any anti-virus applications.
Most of the anti-virus applications make Mac sluggish.I use NO antivirus or 'protective' software and for the 6 years I have used Macs, I have suffered no problems.
I installed Trend Micro Smart Surfing for Mac...
Macs do not need any AV protection at this time.
Does my new Macbook Pro need Antivirus?
I don't have any installed and tried one for a few months and decided it only took up space and deleted it. Paid AV applications seem to slow a Mac down or worse.
does mac pro need an anti virus or not?
Take that anti-virus out. You don't need it.
Do you have any third-party anti-virus or internet security software installed?
My machine continually freezes up. What can I do...
If you have any 'cleaning', performance or anti-virus applications, they are all unnecessary and should be deleted. Often they are culprits for slowing down a MBP.
My MacBook Pro is getting very slow...
Often third party applications can be a cause of slow performance, especially so called performance/cleaning applications as well as Anti Virus applications. Both of these are not necessary.
Gray Screen of Death, Harddrive full?
Anti-Virus software or any so called 'cleaning' applications are prime offenders.
Noise and heat on current 15" macbook pro models?
Antivirus software does more damage to Macs that the malware does.
We spend far more time here on the support forums cleaning up problems with antivirus software than we do cleaning up problems with viruses.
Anti-virus software picking up "Exploit Script ..."
You do not need antivirus for the Mac under any circumstances.
Viruses, windows, and parallel 6 -?
Virus scanners really aren't that good. They often identify programs from their competitors as viruses - go figure!
My Word Doc attachments arrive to PC's with a virus
I put zero faith in anti-virus tools-either to find anything or to fix it.
MS Word documents open but aren't visible
You don't need any anti-virus software on the Mac. If you have any, it will only cause problems.
Get rid of your Mac anti-virus software. Chances are, it does more harm than good.
The only malicious software is the anti-virus or "clean up" software itself.
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Jul 24, 2015 3:01 PMby etresoft,Hello again arenberg,
Beware of people who post links to discussions from 2006 and claim they have some relevance for today. Back then, virtually all Macs used PowerPC chips and that alone made them invulnerable to PC malware. Fast forward to 2015 and you'll find that Macs and PCs now use the same processors. Many of the most dangerous and/or annoying malware uses Flash, Java, and Javascript, all of which is cross-platform and runs on any machine, Mac or PC.
Mac users need to adapt to the times. Most anti-malware products are just ports of PC products and don't provide any real benefit. But there are a few that are specially adapted for the Mac and can be useful in some circumstances. The truth is that there is no need to live in fear of either malware or anti-malware. If you get some adware, come to Apple Support Communities and 9/10 people will recommend (what was formerly known as) AdwareMedic as the safest, quickest, and easiest way to remove it. Other than that specific adware removal tool, no one is going to recommend any anti-virus software for the Mac. If the situation changes, we will adapt. At least most of us will.
And if you are reading this post because it was referenced in another thread in the year 2024 - STOP! Information from 2015 is not going to help you remove adware from your Apple iHoverboard. Just post your hologram question to Apple Support Communities and I'm sure you will have a good answer within several nanoseconds.
