ibwusvnw

Q: Pop up ads

Lately I have noticed that I am getting A LOT of pop up ads.  They come sliding in from the side on just about every website I go. I have clicked disable on numerous ones but that doesn’t stop them.  Also, I have noticed that on website now the texts turns to a sponsored link.  For example, if the website mentions bikes, there will be a link from the word ‘bike’ to buy a bike. There’s other ad problems, i.e. - sometimes clicking on a link will take me to another page not related to what I clicked on. What is this?  Did I download a virus or something or is this some setting issue?  Either way it is very annoying.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11), ipod classic 160 GB

Posted on Aug 25, 2014 5:44 PM

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Q: Pop up ads

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Aug 25, 2014 5:48 PM in response to ibwusvnw
    Level 10 (271,860 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 25, 2014 5:48 PM in response to ibwusvnw

    Helpful Links Regarding Malware Problems

     

    If you are having an immediate problem with ads popping up see The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide and The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Tool. Open Safari, select Preferences from the Safari menu. Click on Extensions icon in the toolbar. Disable all Extensions. If this stops your problem, then re-enable them one by one until the problem returns. Now remove that extension as it is causing the problem.

     

    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

      OS X Mavericks- Protect your Mac from malware

      About file quarantine in OS X

     

    If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using ClamXAV. (Thank you to Thomas Reed for this recommendation.)

     

    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.

  • by CMCSK,

    CMCSK CMCSK Aug 25, 2014 5:49 PM in response to ibwusvnw
    Level 6 (10,875 points)
    Aug 25, 2014 5:49 PM in response to ibwusvnw

    Go into your browser's Preferences & make sure "Block Pop Up Windows" is checked.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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