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Safari Browser is Blocked by Virus

My Safari browser running on Mountain Lion OSX 10.8.5 has been locked by a Virus. When trying to reset the default settings in Safari, that option is grayed out/unavailable and all bookmarks etc are grayed out as well. I have tried reinstalling Safari (Updated from Apple Store) and the locking virus is still there. Is there a way I can get around this without getting a service tech from Apple to fix it?


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Aug 28, 2014 1:15 PM

Reply
5 replies

Aug 28, 2014 1:17 PM in response to glmoore51

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

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.

Aug 28, 2014 6:06 PM in response to glmoore51

Marcel Brown's FBI “Ransomware” Phishing Scam Affects Mac Users – How To Bypass.


thomas_r.'s FBI ransomware “virus” rampant.


My solution:


Start by trying to use the Safari back button ◀︎ to get away from that page.

User uploaded file

If that doesn't work, force quit Safari and re-open Safari with the shift key held down.


Choose "Reset Safari..." from the Safari menu to clear the history and cache files of this page.


If you continue to have problems with being re-directed to adware, use the first two references that Kappy gave you.

Safari Browser is Blocked by Virus

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