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Safari says "Please Update Internet Explorer"

In last two days, everytime I try to connect google.com (and once that I try to connect facebook.com), there pops up a message saying "WARNING! Your internet Explorer is out of date Please Update" though I never installed IE before. When I click OK, it directs me a suspicious (probably fraud) page saying that "OUTDATED BROWSER DETECTED" and wants me to install IE. You can check screenshots. This really disturbs me because I can't use google.com or google search anymore!


Can it be a virus or something?



PS: I started to see this after I installed Chrome, TunnelBear, Zenmate, Hotspot Shield (I uninstall the last two in a couple of minutes after installing). Can these softwares be suspicious?


As unsuccessful attempts, I reset Safari, clear cookies and restart the system... Don't work...


Please help!


Regards,


User uploaded fileUser uploaded file

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Apr 3, 2014 2:45 PM

Reply
18 replies

Apr 4, 2014 3:29 AM in response to Linc Davis

I normally use internet via wireless modem at my home which I manually set DNS 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4. But for 2-3 days, I stay in a friend's flat who doesn't have a wireless modem but ethernet cable for internet - which means I didn't know what the DNS numbers was.


Thanks for reminding me that. I look it now and it's 50.28.34.201/8.8.8.8. I set it to google DNS numbers (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4.) and it seems it works! Thanks so much!


But, why the same ethernet line doesn't make a problem for my friend who use only Chrome?

Apr 4, 2014 7:06 AM in response to olcayche

I look it now and it's 50.28.34.201/8.8.8.8.I set it to google DNS


The first server address is bogus. If you delete the change you made, does it revert to 50.28.34.201?


But, why the same ethernet line doesn't make a problem for my friend who use only Chrome?


I don't use Chrome, but it may ignore the system DNS settings and use Google DNS.

Apr 6, 2014 9:15 AM in response to olcayche

As I said, problem arises after I use a friends' ethernet connection.


Merely connecting to a network would not cause a change in the DNS settings that would persist after you disconnected from that network. If the change did persist, then it was caused by something on your computer, such as one of the VPN clients you installed.


I install BitDefender from apple store


That's useless, as is all "anti-virus" software.

Apr 6, 2014 9:03 PM in response to olcayche

50.28.34.201 is the domain name server for talentreef according to whois. It is a recruiting company. I don't know why someone would be using it unless they were an employee. Also don't know if it would accept requests from just anyone. I pinged it and it is currently online. Putting it in the first position will make it the first choice for a DNS request. If it was ignoring you, the Google DNS should have been tried, after a short delay.


However that is presumably unrelated to the fact that you were being attacked by adware. Good thing you didn't fall for it. Google search for 'outdated browser detected' and you will see lots of sites giving advice. Most for PC owners. I expect there will be some discussions on this site as well. I'll go check…

Apr 6, 2014 9:28 PM in response to J Spraggs

Didn't find anything like a solution for a Mac. I can't even be sure that what put that prompt up is running virus code on your Mac. People who are discussing the problem on PCs claim that it is for their machines.


I would like to believe that it is just a browser pop up and that even if you clicked to download it, the result would only be PC specific code and harmless. Nothing I read just now had any information about it on a Mac.

Apr 7, 2014 3:56 AM in response to olcayche

Merely connecting to a network would not cause a change in the DNS settings that would persist after you disconnected from that network.

Actually, I lived this problem only while I was using friend's ethernet connection. And I solved it via changing DNS while I was using the same connection also. It has not reverted.


J Sprags; Thanks for your efforts. I want to believe that it's harmless.


Anyway, I haven't lived any problem neither in internet use nor while using other programs. Everything seems OK. now. If I live a trouble, I'll inform you.


Regards,

Safari says "Please Update Internet Explorer"

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