Can't click on Google Ads in ANY Browser

Question

Level 1

8 points

Can't click on Google Ads in ANY Browser

When clicking on ANY google ad using any browser (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) on my MacBook Pro, it will not connect. Stops at Googleadservices.com.

Same problem occurs on this mac when I use incognito mode.

Fully updated to Catalina

Removed Sophos (the only antivirus software).

My daughter's Macbook pro is on the same wifi network and works fine, so it's not the router.

Google support said its not their problem if its working on my daughter's mac sitting on same desk next to my own.

At my wits end. Lots of others online with this issue and everyone suggesting to contact Google but this is a mac specific issue.

Please help!!

Pic 1. I can't click on any search results that are ads.

Pic 2. This is the error I get when I try to click on an any ad in the search results.

TIA for any help!

Karen

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 10, 2020 2:56 AM

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Answer 1

Gizzabreak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 11, 2020 1:33 AM in response to dialabrain

Hi dialabrain

Thanks for that, I did what you suggested. I installed Etrecheck and ran the report, it says Full Disk Access is disabled but I wasn't given the option by Etrecheck. I went into System Preferences > Privacy > but couldn't see any option for Etrecheck ? I pasted the report just below.

EtreCheck report

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Answer 2

Gizzabreak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 11, 2020 10:42 AM in response to dialabrain

Hey dialabrain

It worked!!! I cannot thank you enough. I have had this issue for months and spent so much time following online tutorials and on to Google etc. I am so grateful to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you dialabrain!!!

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

122,885 points

Aug 10, 2020 6:03 AM in response to Gizzabreak

Install EtreCheck and post the report. Allow Full Disk Access.

http://etrecheck.com/

Use the Additional Text icon to paste in the report.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

122,885 points

Aug 11, 2020 4:58 AM in response to Gizzabreak

I suspect at least part of the problem is Sophos wasn't uninstalled completely…

/Library/Extensions

SophosPortInterceptor.kext (Sophos, 9.9.4 - SDK 10.14)

SophosFileProtection.kext (Sophos, 9.9.4 - SDK 10.14)

SophosFileMonitor.kext (Sophos, 9.9.4 - SDK 10.14)

SophosWebProtection.kext (Sophos, 9.9.4 - SDK 10.14)

Launch Agents:

[Running] com.sophos.agent.plist (Sophos - installed 2020-03-17)

[Running] com.sophos.endpoint.uiserver.plist (Sophos - installed 2020-03-17)

Launch Daemons:

[Running] com.sophos.common.servicemanager.plist (Sophos - installed 2020-03-17)

You need to remove the left over bits of Sophos, restart and test again.

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Answer 5

Gizzabreak Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 11, 2020 6:55 AM in response to dialabrain

The Sophos was installed by my previous employer and I think its tamper proof so there is no removal tool? I tried to download it again with a view to uninstalling it but I couldn't. I get an error saying

"An incompatible product is installed. This software cannot be installed over the existing installation. No changes were made to the existing installation."

If I go to Finder > Go to folder > /Library/Sophos Anti-Virus

and then just delete all of the files in that folder will that remove it?

I am thinking just to try to reinstall the OS from scratch, I think there is a recovery disc preloaded on this HD?

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

122,885 points

Aug 11, 2020 7:32 AM in response to Gizzabreak

Reinstalling the OS without erasing the drive won't get rid of the Sophos files or any other installed software. The Sophos files in question would be in…

/Library/Extensions

/Library/LaunchAgents

/Library/LaunchDaemons

You could try removing the Sophos files to the Trash if possible and restart.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

122,885 points

Aug 11, 2020 10:56 AM in response to Gizzabreak

You're very welcome and thank you for the card. 🙂

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Can't click on Google Ads in ANY Browser

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