Q: Hi, my Mac is full of virus as I have constantly windows poping up. Does anyone know how 1.I can clean the mac and 2. How I can di ... Hi, my Mac is full of virus as I have constantly windows poping up. Does anyone know how 1.I can clean the mac and 2. How I can disable the pop ups? Many thanks more
-
All replies
-
Helpful answers
-
May 6, 2014 5:45 PM in response to La4xby kevin_,If your Mac is indeed infected by viruses, I would recommend downloading Dr Web Light (http://www.freedrweb.com/drweb+mac+light) and scanning your Mac with it. Make sure though that before you do a scan that you allow the definitions update to complete.
You can turn off some web page popups in the prefs of your browser, But some sites have work arounds that cannot be blocked.
-
May 6, 2014 5:51 PM in response to La4xby Allan Jones,It is unlikely your Mac has a virus. However, it could have a lot of adware. Also, anti-virus products and cleaing apps are the surest way to slow down and destabilize a Mac.
Before doing anytihg else, there is a way for you to safely show us a snapshot of what third-party apps and files could be casuing your issues.
Please download and install this free utility:
http://www.etresoft.com/etrecheck
It is secure and written by one of our most valued members to allow users to show details of their computer's configuration in Apple Support Communities without revealing any sensitive personal data.
Run the program and click the "Copy report to clipboard" button when it displays the results. Then return here and paste the report into a response to your initial post. It can often show if any harmful files/programs are dragging down your performance.
-
May 6, 2014 6:07 PM in response to La4xby thomas_r.,If the pop-ups you're having are ads in the web browser, on sites that should not have ads, then you may have adware installed. Try my Adware Removal Guide.
(Fair disclosure: The Safe Mac is my site, and contains a Donate button, so I may receive compensation for providing links to The Safe Mac. Donations are not required.)
-
May 6, 2014 6:21 PM in response to La4xby Linc Davis,Absolutely do not install any kind of "anti-virus" software, ever.
Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.
Start a reply to this message. Click the camera icon in the toolbar of the editing window and select the image file to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.
-
May 6, 2014 7:16 PM in response to Linc Davisby kevin_,Absolutely do not install any kind of "anti-virus" software, ever.
Linc, why do you have such an strong opinion on this? Macs are not immune to getting infected and there are some good anti virus apps out there.
-
-
Oct 24, 2014 6:40 AM in response to janetrslby thomas_r.,You may have some kind of adware installed. You could download my AdwareMedic app, which will help you remove any known adware:
Alternately, if you are leery of downloading an app recommended by a stranger in a forum - which would be perfectly reasonable - you can use the manual removal instructions in my Adware Removal Guide.
If this doesn't fix your problem, it could be something besides adware. For some other solutions, see:
http://www.adwaremedic.com/kb/unsolved.php
(Fair disclosure: I may receive compensation from links to my site and software, in the form of buttons allowing for donations. Donations are not required to use my site or software.)

