For the last like, two days, text-enhance spyware has taken over both safari and firefox on my computer. It underlines weird words and shows a "text enhance" pop up when you hover over the word. Its so annoying, and I cant figure out how to get rid of it. Please help!
MacBook Pro, iOS 4.3.1
Never heard of "text-enhance spyware". And whatever it is I am pretty certain it isn't "spyware",. Sounds like you installed some application or browser plugin which is checking your text for something (apple's spell checker underlines misspelled words, try it in TextEdit).
It's an annoying "feature" enabled by a persistent cookie.
Get rid of it: Go to the Safari menu and select Safari Preferences, then Privacy, then "Remove all website data".
While you are there, select "block cookies from third parties and advertisers"
Also try this link: http://optout.textsrv.com/optout.php
Also check for any browser extensions you don't recognize ("Media plugin"?)
You must have installed a new add-on or extension. Anyway, for a laugh, read
<http://support.text-enhance.com/home>
Not only are you supposed to register with them to opt out (the unmitigated cheek!), but they tell you straight in the face not to delete their cookies!
Get rid of whatever you installed that brought it in.
Get rid of whatever you installed that brought it in.
Yes. This sounds mysteriously like Vibrant Media "in-text ads". If that's what this thing is, no Earthly punishment would suffice for its evil developers. The only way to block it may be to install a Flash block extension such as like ClickToFlash.
How do I check for media plug ins and delete whatever brought it in?
Go to Safari > Preferences > Extensions.
What do you see there?
Something called codec-M, is that the likely culprit?
I uninstalled it, and disabled extensions, and it seems to be fixed. Thanks so much!
You're welcome. It sounds a lot like "Premiumplay Codec-C1.13.21" which causes the same thing to occur in Chrome. And since it's not Flash, ClickToFlash won't block it.
How typical. An advertiser, knowing how odious and intrusive this is, has to mask its true intent behind some obscure name.
Safari always asks if you would like to install an extension. Buyer beware!
I also had this unwanted text ad-vert plugin. It came with an extension that I installed from "bestyoutubedownloader" dot com. The moral: avoid extensions not approved by Apple. The terms of service for this extension/plugin state that they can add any 'layers' from their other plugins. Extensions like this are a great way to compromise your system - downloader beware!
@John Galt Thanks so much! I had the exact same problem and it's fixed!
thanks John ...and, er, what about Firefox? That was mentioned in the first posting but seemed to have dropped out of the conversation. (there is no "Extensions" in Firefox > Preferences)
thanks John ...and, er, what about Firefox?
Firefox's extensions can be found under "Add-ons", found it its Preferences > General, "manage add-ons", or with Firefox's Tool menu.
thanks! It's now disabled. Is it necessary to delete that add-on? (I couldn't manage to delete it actually, but maybe it's enough just to disable??) cheers
how do I get rid of text enhance spyware
