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Level 1

0 points

I think my iMac is infected and could really use some help

I recently purchased an iMac for the 1st time and am having many pop ups, survey requests and emails sent from my account to people in my address book. I used the chat help that came up on the Apple support which was a 3rd party who did a diagnostic check on my computer. They told me my computer was infected and wanted to charge me $159 to fix it. I could really use some suggestions. I have heard that apple computers don't get infected but it appears mine did.

iMac

Posted on May 22, 2014 5:13 PM

Best reply

Ralph Landry1

Level 8

41,850 points

Posted on May 22, 2014 5:17 PM

First, go to Thomas's web page, http://www.thesafemac.com and read up on his guidance and advice...you can get his adware and popup blocker to stop that behavior. Be very wary of those third-parties as most are scams. You can trust Thomas's stuff.

Absolutely do not get anything like MacKeeper as that is some of the worst malware out there.

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40 replies

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

May 23, 2014 7:42 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Crysalice Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2014 7:53 AM in response to andyBall_uk

I'm not sure where to find preferences and I'm not sure I know how to erase. I used the info from an earlier post and it didn't work for me.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

May 23, 2014 7:58 AM in response to Crysalice

Third item from the top.

As for the erase and reinstall I seriously think that you should start a new thread on that issue, this thread is now marked as solved (albeit incorrectly) and because of that will not receive much attention from the 'problem solvers' anymore.

Start a new thread, and post a link to it in this one. It will help ensure continuity for the posters trying to help.

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

May 23, 2014 7:59 AM in response to Crysalice

Sticking with Safari : click the word Safari at top left, next to the Apple icon. Select 'Preferences' from the drop-down menu that appears.

Or, while in Safari; press Command (Apple) & comma keys.

Crysalice Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2014 8:05 AM in response to Csound1

found it

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

May 23, 2014 8:07 AM in response to Crysalice

Do you need it?

If not push the button marked uninstall.

Crysalice Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2014 8:14 AM in response to Csound1

No, I uninstalled it. I posted a new thread and hopefully added this thread link correctly.

Crysalice Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2014 8:16 AM in response to Csound1

Is it a good idea to change the auto fill section for Safari and all the stored passwords Safari keeps? I noticed everything is checked to save when I was looking up the extensions.

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

May 23, 2014 8:17 AM in response to Crysalice

Your link did not come through ....

So here it is

I'm looking for the best way to erase and reinstall my iMac after an invasion

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

May 23, 2014 8:18 AM in response to Crysalice

Crysalice wrote:

Is it a good idea to change the auto fill section for Safari and all the stored passwords Safari keeps? I noticed everything is checked to save when I was looking up the extensions.

Only if you have a reason to, I would leave it alone.

I think my iMac is infected and could really use some help