jbm8915

Q: how do i remove pwdplz.com pop ad from my browser

When I search in my browser (safari) a tab opens with a link pwdplz.com/... and a pop up ad appears on the bottom.

 

I searched over the internet and i found that this is a type of a malware.

who can i remove this thing?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on May 24, 2016 7:17 AM

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Q: how do i remove pwdplz.com pop ad from my browser

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  • Helpful answers

  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones May 24, 2016 7:21 AM in response to jbm8915
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    May 24, 2016 7:21 AM in response to jbm8915

    jbm8915 wrote:

     

    When I search in my browser (safari) a tab opens with a link pwdplz.com/... and a pop up ad appears on the bottom.

     

    I searched over the internet and i found that this is a type of a malware.

    who can i remove this thing?

     

    Try quitting Safari, then restarting in Safe Mode by pressing the Shift key as you click on the icon in your Dock.  Does it still happen?  If it doesn't, you don't need to do anything else.  If it does, you have two options available:

     

    • Download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware for Mac.  It was developed by a trusted and respected contributor here.  It's a simple, non-intrusive program that deletes known malware/adware from your hard drive.  That's all it does.  It doesn't add anything and it doesn't take away anything else.  Unlike anti-virus programs, it doesn't run in the background of your computer, using up resources, and also unlike anti-virus programs (which are unnecessary on Macs), it doesn't actively prevent malware or adware infections.  Its sole purpose is removing them.
    • Restart your computer.  As of April 26, 2016, changes made to the support article here --> Stop pop-up ads in Safari - Apple Support state that El Capitan removes adware at login, but only at login.  So, if you don't want to use Malwarebytes, this is another option for you.
  • by jbm8915,

    jbm8915 jbm8915 May 24, 2016 7:25 AM in response to pinkstones
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 24, 2016 7:25 AM in response to pinkstones

    Hello Pinkstones,

     

    well i tried earlier this software but it didn't change anything, and also i restarted my laptop so many times.

  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones May 24, 2016 7:35 AM in response to jbm8915
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    May 24, 2016 7:35 AM in response to jbm8915

    jbm8915 wrote:

     

    Hello Pinkstones,

     

    well i tried earlier this software but it didn't change anything, and also i restarted my laptop so many times.

     

    Please post the results of your EtreCheck report.  It's a diagnostics tool developed by a trusted and respected contributor here, and it will allow us to see what is installed on your hard drive in the way of applications, drivers, plugins, extensions, etc.  No sensitive information is included in the report, such as names, e-mail addresses, or serial numbers.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis May 24, 2016 9:37 AM in response to jbm8915
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    May 24, 2016 9:37 AM in response to jbm8915

    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 you've already found that it doesn't work.

    Back up all data first.

    If you're not already running the latest version of OS X, updating or upgrading in the App Store may cause the adware to be removed automatically. If you are already running the latest version, please log out or restart the computer. 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, 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. The malware will be disabled 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.