I continue to get pop ups that open new tabs even though I ran Anti-Virus Zap on my Mac. I've checked all the recommended preference settings too. I will say that Antivirus Zap did detect several "virus" files and deleted them. Any thoughts?
Start your Mac in "Safe Mode": Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support. It will take your Mac longer to start in Safe Mode so let it finish. When it does log in as usual. The popups should not appear while in that mode.
While in safe mode, delete the following file:
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AppAssistDaemon.plist
To navigate to it, select the entire line above (triple-click to select the entire line). Copy and Paste it into the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field.
Make it look like this
... and click the Go button. A Finder window will open with that file selected. Drag it to the Trash.
Delete the following folder also:
Library/AppAssistDaemon
You can navigate to it in the same manner. Delete that entire folder.
Try that first. Then, restart your Mac in the usual manner and determine if the popups persist or not. If they persist please write back for more comprehensive instructions.
So-called "zapper" programs are worthless. You can see for yourself it didn't help. Uninstall "Antivirus Zap".
Excerpted from Install and uninstall apps from the internet or disc on Mac:
Do not download or install anything else in an effort to rid your Mac of those popups:
John Galt wrote:
You must resist the siren call of various and sundry "anti-virus" programs and similarly categorized "zapper" things. They don't help. They're all garbage products that must never be installed on any Mac and can only exacerbate whatever problems may be affecting it.
Start your Mac in "Safe Mode": Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support. It will take your Mac longer to start in Safe Mode so let it finish. When it does log in as usual. The popups should not appear while in that mode.
While in safe mode, delete the following file:
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AppAssistDaemon.plist
To navigate to it, select the entire line above (triple-click to select the entire line). Copy and Paste it into the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field.
Make it look like this
... and click the Go button. A Finder window will open with that file selected. Drag it to the Trash.
Delete the following folder also:
Library/AppAssistDaemon
You can navigate to it in the same manner. Delete that entire folder.
Try that first. Then, restart your Mac in the usual manner and determine if the popups persist or not. If they persist please write back for more comprehensive instructions.
So-called "zapper" programs are worthless. You can see for yourself it didn't help. Uninstall "Antivirus Zap".
Excerpted from Install and uninstall apps from the internet or disc on Mac:
Do not download or install anything else in an effort to rid your Mac of those popups:
John Galt wrote:
You must resist the siren call of various and sundry "anti-virus" programs and similarly categorized "zapper" things. They don't help. They're all garbage products that must never be installed on any Mac and can only exacerbate whatever problems may be affecting it.
foreberry Said:
“Still experiencing pop ups on iMac even after running Antivirus Zap...help”
———-
Rid of your Unneeded Security Software. Having done that...
Clear your Temporary Internet Files (Cookies & Cache):
So, clear them.
Use this Link: Clearing History and Cache - Apple Communities
To post EtreCheck's entire report read Old Toad's User Tip, here: How to use the Add Text Feature When Posting Large Amounts of Text, i.e. an Etrecheck Report
You must resist the siren call of various and sundry "anti-virus" programs and similarly categorized "zapper" things. They don't help. They're all garbage products that must never be installed on any Mac and can only exacerbate whatever problems may be affecting it.
Since you already ran EtreCheck post its entire report. Follow the User Tip or BDAqua's instructions.
First uninstall antivirus app, as you have learned it is a total waste of time. A popup is far from being a virus, it is simply a popup. You simply need a popup blocker added as an extension to your browser.
EtreCheck is a simple little app to display the important details of your system configuration and allow you to copy that information to the Clipboard. It is meant to be used with Apple Support Communities to help people help you with your Mac.
http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck
Pastebin is a good place to paste the whole report...
Or use the paperclip at the bottom of a Reply to attach the full report here. :)
Thanks. Until I figure out how to attach the full report, below looks to be pertinent information:
Description:
Pop ups? open a new tab whenever I click on existing open tabs in Safa
ri. Ive run Antivirus Zap which did detect a handful of viruses but s
ubsequent runs didnt detect anything and the pop up new tab opening co
ntinued. Sometimes the new opening tab appears legitsuch as Amazon.co
m, but more often its some sort of scam to get you to upgrade or resol
ve issue with your Mac.
Major Issues:
Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.
No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.
Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed that could be adware and should be reviewed.
Minor Issues:
These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement.
32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps will not work on macOS 10.15 “Catalina”.
Limited drive access - More information may be available with Full Drive Access.
...
Unsigned Files:
Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.AppAssistDaemon.plist
Executable: /Library/AppAssistDaemon/AppAssistDaemon.app/Contents/MacOS/AppAssistDaemon
Details: Domain name invalid - possibly adware
32-bit Applications:
One 32-bit app
System Launch Agents:
[Not Loaded] 15 Apple tasks
[Loaded] 154 Apple tasks
[Running] 77 Apple tasks
[Killed] 48 Apple tasks
System Launch Daemons:
[Not Loaded] 41 Apple tasks
[Loaded] 171 Apple tasks
[Running] 86 Apple tasks
[Killed] 37 Apple tasks
Launch Agents:
[Loaded] com.microsoft.update.agent.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2019-11-12)
Launch Daemons:
[Loaded] com.AppAssistDaemon.plist (? 8a7e3b50 - installed 2020-01-08)
[Loaded] com.apple.installer.osmessagetracing.plist (Apple - installed 2019-12-04)
[Not Loaded] com.microsoft.OneDriveUpdaterDaemon.plist (? 0 - installed 2018-10-13)
[Running] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2019-11-12)
[Loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2018-09-09)
User Login Items:
[Not Loaded] AdwareHelper (App Store - installed 2020-01-13)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/Antivirus Zap.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/AdwareHelper.app
[Not Loaded] Launcher Disabler (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2018-10-13)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Launcher Disabler.app
[Not Loaded] OneDrive Launcher (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2018-10-13)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/OneDrive Launcher.app
Please uninstall per the developers instructions both:
ser Login Items:
[Not Loaded] AdwareHelper (App Store - installed 2020-01-13)
Modern Login Item
/Applications/Antivirus Zap.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/AdwareHelper.app
Then download and use the free version of Malwarebytes and let it do a scan to see if you have any adware or malware installed.
First, Apple Support Community - Thank all of you for the responses and willingness to assist...feel even better about the move away from PC.
John Galt - Spot on! Had to pinch myself to make sure it was real...dealt with this annoyance popup for too long. Your explicit step-step instruction was very useful for a "non-programmer" like myself. For the record, that second file...Library/AppAssistDaemon...did not appear in the Finders Go function. But apparently deletion of that first folder did the trick!
Really, really appreciate sharing your knowledge and time as I realize you get nothing for it...but know how much it helps others...many thanks to you.
Here it is...thanks for the instruction.
I'll check out how to clear history and Cache per TheLittles advice next.
Great to hear, good luck. :)
Still experiencing pop ups on iMac even after running Antivirus Zap...help!