Able to access email and other online services, but NOT websites via browsers.

Question

Able to access email and other online services, but NOT websites via browsers.

I've run into an intermittent problem with my 2019 refurb iMac running Mojave 10.14.6. I connect to the net via ethernet through a Netgear AC2300 router. Every once in a while I am unable to access websites using Safari or Firefox. Blank page and eventual timeout notification. At the same time, I can still receive email through Mail or Postbox, and applications that access the net directly such as Banktivity and StockMarketEye continue to work. The problem occurs whether I have WiFi on or off. Sometimes restarting works, and resetting parameter RAM also seems to do the trick. Hard to tell because it's so random. Oddly enough the last time this happened, my HDHomerun which is also wired to the router stopped working.

I have a 2015 refurb iMac running as well on the same network/router by ethernet - most current system, etc. and it hasn't had the problem.

I've tried a factory reset on the router as well as just turning it on and off, and that doesn't seem to have an effect.

Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks

Chris

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Oct 12, 2019 11:18 AM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Oct 25, 2019 8:38 AM in response to Chris Hutcheson

You are welcome. I would uninstall Sophos. It tends to interfere with the computer's operation while providing minimal to no benefit unless you work with Windows files. Most long time posters recommend not using antivirus software or cleaning software such as CleanMyMac.

Sophos Un-install

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Answer 2

Oct 27, 2019 6:42 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks again Eric. It looks like Sophos may have been the culprit. So far so good!

Cheers

Chris

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Answer 3

Oct 25, 2019 12:43 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks for this and sorry for the delay getting back to you. I have Express VPN but only use it in specific instances, so it's not on when this happens. I'm also running Sophos Premium anti virus. I can now say the problem resolves if I reset parameter RAM but I will also try safe mode and an alternate user account and see how that goes. The problem only seems to occur on this specific iMac, and not the other one, so I'm wondering off the top if it's Sophos.

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Answer 4

Oct 25, 2019 12:45 AM in response to Chris Hutcheson

I also have Etrecheck and will post as you requested once I try the other suggestions you provided. Thanks again for your detailed response.

Cheers

Chris

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Oct 27, 2019 6:45 AM in response to Chris Hutcheson

You are welcome.

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Answer 6

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Oct 12, 2019 11:23 AM in response to Chris Hutcheson

Are you running any anti - virus programs? Using a VPN?

Try setting up another admin user account in System Preferences/Users & Groups to see if the same problem continues. Please post back on whether or not this worked. Also try the Safe Mode. Please post back on whether or not this worked.

Isolating an issue by using another user account

Safe Mode - About

If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor. Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply. Pastebin

Etrecheck – System Information

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Able to access email and other online services, but NOT websites via browsers.

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