etphonehome1866

Q: Mackeeper, advancedmaccleaner, apples-support spam pop up browser help?

I thought it was a Safari issue, but all the internet browsers (including chrome) on my mac are randomly opening up windows/pop up's for the following:

 

.advancedmaccleaner.com

Mackeeper

http://apples-support.com/

 

I know this is all spam and I don't click on it, but it keeps attempting to download their software and I don't know how to get rid of it.

 

Is it spyware? Been trying to google similar problems but no one else is posting this same issue. 

 

Help!

 

Here are the screen shots of the windows. Not quite a pop up, it opens a new tab.  Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 7.45.53 PM.jpg

Screen Shot 2016-02-24 at 7.45.40 PM.jpg

MacBook Air, OS X El Capitan (10.11.1)

Posted on Feb 24, 2016 6:50 PM

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Q: Mackeeper, advancedmaccleaner, apples-support spam pop up browser help?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Allan Eckert,

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Feb 24, 2016 6:53 PM in response to etphonehome1866
    Level 9 (53,621 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 24, 2016 6:53 PM in response to etphonehome1866

    Iy sounds like you managed to download adware. Try http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Feb 24, 2016 7:07 PM in response to etphonehome1866
    Level 8 (49,127 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 24, 2016 7:07 PM in response to etphonehome1866

    You inadvertently installed adware. You do not need to download or install anything to fix it.

     

    For a description of how this may have occurred, how to avoid it in the future, and for Apple's recommended actions read How to install adware. Apple's instructions are linked in the Recovery Procedure near the end of that document. Read and follow them carefully. Pay particular attention to the easily overlooked passages directing you to restart your Mac when required.

     

    Review your Gatekeeper settings: OS X : About Gatekeeper - Apple Support. Gatekeeper is designed to help prevent you from inadvertently installing garbage software.

  • by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Feb 25, 2016 8:46 AM in response to etphonehome1866
    Level 10 (207,963 points)
    Applications
    Feb 25, 2016 8:46 AM in response to etphonehome1866

    You may have installed ad-injection malware ("adware").

    Don't use any kind of "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" product on a Mac. There is never a need for it, and relying on it for protection makes you more vulnerable to attack, not less.

    Back up all data first.

    Some of the most common types of adware can be removed by following Apple's instructions. But before you follow those instructions, you can attempt an automatic removal.

    If you're not already running the latest version of OS X ("El Capitan"), updating or upgrading in the App Store may cause the adware to be removed automatically. If you're already running the latest version of El Capitan, you can nevertheless download the current updater from the Apple Support Downloads page and run it. Again, some kinds of malware will be removed—not all. There is no such thing as automatic removal of all possible malware, either by OS X or by third-party software. That's why you can't rely on software to protect you.

    If the malware is removed in your case, you'll still need to make changes to the way you use the computer to protect yourself from further attacks. Ask if you need guidance.

    If the malware is not removed automatically, and you can't remove it yourself by following Apple's instructions, see below.

    This easy procedure will detect any kind of adware that I know of. Deactivating it is a separate, and even easier, procedure.

    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. Also, some websites carry intrusive popup ads that may be mistaken for adware.

    If none of your web browsers is working well enough to carry out these instructions, restart the computer in safe mode. That will disable the malware temporarily.

    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. Please don't skip this step.

    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. Open the screenshot and make sure it's readable. If not, capture a smaller part of the screen showing only what needs to be shown.

    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.

  • by etphonehome1866,

    etphonehome1866 etphonehome1866 Feb 25, 2016 8:49 AM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 8:49 AM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you everyone! It was  the perfetnight adware that was latched onto my computer. Deleted all those Keys and it has seemed to work!