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All replies
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Helpful answers
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Mar 8, 2012 12:16 PM in response to ewwby FIXYOURTHINKING,The two of you, or a group of you would apparently rather harass forum posters than answer questions and provide meaningful answers on this topic.
Good day.
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Mar 8, 2012 12:18 PM in response to thomas_r.by eww,Thomas: I just emailed Speedtest.net, which is hosting a particularly misleading Zeobit ad on its main page, to tell them I was done using and recommending their site. I included a link to your "Beware MacKeeper" article.
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Mar 8, 2012 12:20 PM in response to FIXYOURTHINKINGby eww,FIXYOURTHINKING wrote:
The two of you, or a group of you would apparently rather harass forum posters than answer questions and provide meaningful answers on this topic.
No, we're just here to help you fix your thinking.
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Mar 8, 2012 12:28 PM in response to ewwby FIXYOURTHINKING,You're so clever, I wish I'd have thought of that. I feel so outwitted and shamed for asking that their finally be some direction. What was I thinking? Oh, I should fix my thinking! That doesn't sound as clever as what you posted though.
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Mar 8, 2012 12:37 PM in response to FIXYOURTHINKINGby eww,That doesn't sound as clever as what you posted though.
Yeah, I'm afraid that big black cloud around your head is really getting in your way. Why not lighten up?
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Mar 8, 2012 12:38 PM in response to ewwby thomas_r.,Thomas: I just emailed Speedtest.net, which is hosting a particularly misleading Zeobit ad on its main page, to tell them I was done using and recommending their site. I included a link to your "Beware MacKeeper" article.
That's funny, I haven't been to speedtest.net in a couple months, and was just there yesterday and noticed the MacKeeper ad. Haven't had a chance to send them an e-mail myself yet, but I'm glad to hear you did!
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Mar 18, 2012 8:56 AM in response to thomas_r.by mamitaylor,I will need to make time to read through all answers...but I have the same annoying problem with this pop up, normally coming up and freezing my Safari when I'm dowmloading work stuff...which is a lot of work, as I have to force quit and start all over again...
I am with whoever said in the forst pages: I have NOT downloaded this app/program, and can't find anything with the file names...
will clear cache and cookies and see what happens...
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Mar 19, 2012 5:17 AM in response to mamitaylorby FIXYOURTHINKING,MamiTaylor,
I noticed how your concern wasn't answered. This particular forum seems to be moderated by trolls that would rather bicker over forum rules and etiquette than truly answer the question straightforward.
I finally found the exact answer ...
This isn't a program that is installed. This particular "pop under" is not a "pop up" ~ so your pop up blocker is ineffective.
I disagree strongly with the use of ad blockers because they actually prevent more than just ads from showing up on several websites. (Although the use of ad blockers don't always prevent "pop unders" anyway.)
I visit a local newspaper website daily called the Greenville News ~ found at http://www.greenvilleonline.com.
This site is the sole culprit for the MacKeeper "pop under" for me.
I took the suggestion from another forum to switch to open all new windows in tabs in Safari and Firefox.
Make sure that that you have "Block Pop Up Windows" checked in the Safari menu.
In Safari go to Menu > Safari > Tabs > (Highlight "Open pages in tabs instead of windows") to ALWAYS.
As you surf for a day, notice which sites are opening new windows that say "MacKeeper-02" or something like that.
These websites are the culprit.
The Greenville News happens to be a Gannet/USA Today newspaper website.
I contacted The Greenville News and Gannett regarding the issue.
An IT person from both sources sat on the phone with me and said while it is annoying to me (and to us all) it won't change. This was a high level advertising decision.
Having the MacKeeper window open doesn't harm your computer in any way, nor is it installing anything.
This IS SOMETHING APPLE COULD FIX in an update to Safari as the "pop under" bypasses the "pop up blocker" by telling your computer that MacKeeper is a window you want to open at the website you are currently on. In other words, the site you're on is serving it. In my case ~ it looks like MacKeeper is opening from http://www.greenvilleonline.com.
Take note that I am not a registered user and don't pay for a subscription to this newspaper website. I was told that subscribers are not confronted with this issue. So, I confirmed that on my father's computer. He has a subscription and has the same OS X + an iMac. Sure enough, it never popped up on his. I accessed the website using his internet connection on my computer, and ... it popped up on mine ~ because I wasn't logged in.
The company Zerobit could easily not advertise in this manner, but it seems as if they feel "no press is bad press" here.
My local paper would continue to serve "pop unders" ~ whether from Zerobit or someone else. On occasion ... this is exactly what happens.
The thing I don't like about this is that the ad is doing more than tracking you ...
It is giving Zerobit a hit. They apparently use this data to market their software in box form to retail outlets like Staples. I was able to speak with a human resource director at Staples and they said this Verbatim.She also told me that sales for MacKeeper in store were very low and that they wouldn't be carrying it after this next quarter.
Secondly, Zerobit is doing more than serving up ads. While I understand that every Google page just about is tracking tons of information about you ... this Zerobit "pop under" collects your location, your IP address, your operating system, model name, and where you go two sites ahead and where you've been two clicks before. It continues to track you as long as it is open.
Zerobit is using this data to market to other companies.
Research reveals that Zerobit is not a legit programming company. They outsource development and use the MacKeeper software as a front for advertising dollar. They do develop the "pop under" tech and multiple marketing strategies in house.
I cannot stop looking at the Greenville News website for many reasons. So, stopping to visit sites that deploy the "pop unders" isn't always the solution.
The best method to prevent MacKeeper is to use tabs and close it as soon as it appears in your tabs.
I personally hate tabs, but I'm forcing myself to get used to using them.
Additionally, contact the sources where the "pop unders" are happening and point them to this comment.
I will be starting a petition after this post for Apple to prevent "pop unders" in a future update.
www.fixyourthinking.com
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Mar 19, 2012 7:23 AM in response to FIXYOURTHINKINGby MadMacs0,Thank you for sharing your findings with the group.
FIXYOURTHINKING wrote:
I disagree strongly with the use of ad blockers because they actually prevent more than just ads from showing up on several websites. (Although the use of ad blockers don't always prevent "pop unders" anyway.)
...
Secondly, Zerobit is doing more than serving up ads. While I understand that every Google page just about is tracking tons of information about you ... this Zerobit "pop under" collects your location, your IP address, your operating system, model name, and where you go two sites ahead and where you've been two clicks before. It continues to track you as long as it is open.
You might want to look into the Ghostery extension which does not block ads, but rather prevents tracking and might be effective in this case.
I will be starting a petition after this post for Apple to prevent "pop unders" in a future update.
I don't know of any browser that prevents "pop unders" without an additional extension/plug-in, so I'm not sure how successful you will be with this. I would start with http://www.apple.com/feedback/safari.html.
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Mar 19, 2012 8:48 AM in response to FIXYOURTHINKINGby mamitaylor,wow , thanks for taking the time to come help...
yes, I noticed the troll thing and also yes, I noticed it doesn't seem to do any harm, is just annoying...I will come back to read the post properly, I know EXACTLY what website brings it in, is Media Fire, where I NEED to go in order to download certain files for my work...
I know people with that kind of thinking (any advertising is good advertising) but it seems to me they will get customers who are not all that knowledgeable as to the people I know...we all get so annoyed by the freezing...would never buy a product from someone who invades my computer in that way....
i'm on a rush but wanted to thank you for taking the time
will be back later!
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Mar 19, 2012 8:12 PM in response to mamitaylorby Marykch,I just had the damned thing pop up on me although I have pop ups blocked. I stupidly trusted that this must have come from Apple. I then quickly changed my mind & shut down the download before it completed. I then went into my downloads & tossed the 2 mackeeper items in the trash & then emptied the trash. I'm still learning Macbook. Does anyone know if this will work in protecting my computer???
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Mar 19, 2012 8:35 PM in response to Marykchby MadMacs0,Marykch wrote:
shut down the download before it completed. I then went into my downloads & tossed the 2 mackeeper items in the trash & then emptied the trash....Does anyone know if this will work in protecting my computer???
Sounds like you have successfully prevented installation of MacKeeper, but I'm not sure what you are asking concerning protecting your computer. Are you speaking strictly about MacKeeper or something else?
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Mar 19, 2012 9:03 PM in response to MadMacs0by Marykch,I'm hoping I've stopped MacKeeper from damaging my computer. Is there more I should be worried about?
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Mar 19, 2012 9:36 PM in response to Marykchby MadMacs0,Not from where I sit, but wasn't sure what you were looking to get from MacKeeper when you saw their ad. I guess you were simoly under the impression that Apple wanted you to use it.
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