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How do I remove ad malware from my Mac?

I've been struggling to find a solution to this problem. Ads pop up everywhere; especially on YouTube and on the Google search engine. Also, these ads seem to be related to the iLivid virus but I keep reading that the iLivid programs are not supported on OS X. I've tried several anti-virus software from the Mac App Store and none seem to identify the root of the problem. How do I get rid of the problem?

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Mar 9, 2014 10:23 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 9, 2014 10:25 AM

The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide - Genieo


Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection


An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.

Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.

See these Apple articles:


Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection

OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

About file quarantine in OS X


If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using Dr.Web Light from the App Store. It's free, and since it's from the App Store, it won't destabilize the system. If you prefer one of the better known commercial products, then Thomas recommends using Sophos.(Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.) If you already use Sophos, then be aware of this if you are using Mavericks: OS X Mavericks- Sophos Anti-Virus on-access scanner versions 8.0 - 9.1 may cause unexpected restarts


From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:


The facts are:


1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.

2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there

is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.

3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that

the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering

techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.

4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on

your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a

protection against malware.

5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware

from which they purport to protect you.

6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.

7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.

8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something

you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.

9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

12 replies
Question marked as Best reply

Mar 9, 2014 10:25 AM in response to Gallo14

The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide - Genieo


Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection


An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.

Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.

See these Apple articles:


Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection

OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware

About file quarantine in OS X


If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using Dr.Web Light from the App Store. It's free, and since it's from the App Store, it won't destabilize the system. If you prefer one of the better known commercial products, then Thomas recommends using Sophos.(Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.) If you already use Sophos, then be aware of this if you are using Mavericks: OS X Mavericks- Sophos Anti-Virus on-access scanner versions 8.0 - 9.1 may cause unexpected restarts


From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:


The facts are:


1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.

2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there

is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.

3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that

the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering

techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.

4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on

your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a

protection against malware.

5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware

from which they purport to protect you.

6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.

7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.

8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something

you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.

9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

Jul 24, 2014 6:51 AM in response to sahb2397

sahb2397 wrote:


The easiest way to stop this is to click on the safari button on your desktop bar next to the apple button. Then click on preferences. Go to extensions and disable macdeals, and uninstall.


That only works if the adware in question is MacDeals. There are many others, and most are more common than MacDeals. Plus, at the time this topic was posted more than four months ago, iLivid was linked to Downlite.

Feb 13, 2015 4:48 PM in response to Gallo14

Suddenly getting ILIVID ads all over the place on Mac OS X 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. Mainly in Chrome web browser.


See example:


https://twitter.com/iNetMore/status/566393491157053440


I cannot believe that Chase.com would have any flashing, animated ads on their home page.


More info...

ILivid virus is also known as ILivid redirect virus | Type: Browser Hijackers

ILivid Virus is a browser hijacker that redirects users to ilivid.com without their permission asked. Undoubtedly, these redirections mean that your computer is infected with a browser hijacker that works on altering computer's DNS settings and hijacks all the browsers it finds installed on victim's PC.

How do I remove ad malware from my Mac?

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