How can I remove the Softonic popup?

Please navigate to www.Etrecheck.com and download the free version of EtreCheck. Once you have you downloaded the app and installed it, please run the report and save it. This report will help us get a good idea what has been installed on your system and help us be able to diagnose what may be wrong.

When you have your report, you can attach it when you reply to this message and we can then review it and help you determine what is needed to get your system running well again. 

For instructions on how to download your EtreCheck report and attach it to your reply to this message please click https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250000211

Sownload and run the free version of Malwarebytes. It was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community.  Reboot and see if that removes the popup.

No, that is a macOS process, so that is ok. I meant the Windows logo in the upper right

There is no problem with downloading etrecheck; it is safe and does not reveal private info and was developed by a long time contributor here.

This appears to be adware, so you can also download and run the free Malwarebytes for Mac, it gets rid of that kind of stuff. But, the etrecheck would be best to run first.

No, etrecheck is simply a diagnostic tool.

Malwarebytes finds and can get rid of adware.

Malwarebytes is the best anti-malware app for the Mac.

Cheers,

Jack

First you can turn off the notificationsv by unchecking everything and choosing “none”.

Second, have you run Malwarebytes?

Third, have you checked browser extensions or add ons?

Please do all three and then post back.

Safari System Preferences Extensions.

To make sure we are talking about the same thing:

with Safari open > Menubar > Safari > Preferences > Extensions

EtreCheck has been used by thousands of others before you and does not provide us with any personal information about your system. It was also developed by a trusted member of these communities and is often recommended by Apple advisors.

• Adobe Flash Player is installed on this computer. This is a security risk and no longer supported. Please navigate to www.adobe.com and search for uninstall instructions.

• No Time Machine backup found. If you are operating the computer without any backup this is a 100% guarantee that you will lose data! Get yourself an external HD ASAP like a OWC Mercury Elite Pro and back this computer up!!!!! This is absolutely critical.

• Please uninstall the Paragon hack. You may be attempting to share an external HD with a PC. If you need to do this you can however the drive needs to be reformatted to another format. Macs can read NTFS drives however they cannot write to them, using another format will solve this issue and keep you from having to run hacks.

• Your HD's speed is very slow which may indicate a failing HD. Consider taking the computer to your local Apple Authorized Service Provider and have them check it. Do this after backing up the computer using Time Machine. There is NO reason to not be backing up daily with TM.!

Did you check for browser extensions or add ons within the browser?

And I just noticed a Windows icon in the corner of your screenshot - are you running Windows?