bifffo213

Q: how do i stop getting redirected from websites

been on my iMac most of the morning, when i tried to open links this morning from email I read I couldn't  - now when i try to get a website up i get redirected to another  one.

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), not sure if its mavericks

Posted on Oct 29, 2014 5:36 AM

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Q: how do i stop getting redirected from websites

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  • by dominic23,

    dominic23 dominic23 Oct 29, 2014 9:03 AM in response to bifffo213
    Level 8 (42,105 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 29, 2014 9:03 AM in response to bifffo213

    1. Safari > Preferences > Extensions

     

        Turn those off and relaunch Safari again.

     

        Turn those on one by one and test.

     

     

    2. Download  free  AdwareMedic by clicking “Download ” from here

     

         http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

     

       Install , open,  and run it by clicking “Scan for Adware” button   to remove adware.

     

       Once adware is removed, quit the app by clicking AdwareMedic in the menubar

     

        and selecting “Quit AdwareMedic”.

     

        To use manual method try this.

     

         http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-identification/

     

     

     

    Best.

  • by bifffo213,

    bifffo213 bifffo213 Oct 29, 2014 10:08 AM in response to bifffo213
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2014 10:08 AM in response to bifffo213

    thanks for the effort guys really appreciate it - complete novice with tech probs, my head is in bits with this as been trying all day when I have calmed down I will try your suggestions - again thanks

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 29, 2014 6:37 PM in response to bifffo213
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Oct 29, 2014 6:37 PM in response to bifffo213

    There is no need to download anything to solve this problem.

    Please post a screenshot that shows what you mean. Be careful not to include any private information.

    Start a reply to this message. Drag the image file into the editing window to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

  • by bifffo213,

    bifffo213 bifffo213 Oct 31, 2014 5:15 AM in response to bifffo213
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 31, 2014 5:15 AM in response to bifffo213

    Linc here you go just trying to log in opened up more useless windows i didn't want.Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 12.13.10.pngScreen Shot 2014-10-31 at 12.12.41.png

     

    was wondering how posting s/shots would help you ?? cheers anyhows

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Oct 31, 2014 8:45 AM in response to bifffo213
    Level 10 (208,037 points)
    Applications
    Oct 31, 2014 8:45 AM in response to bifffo213

    was wondering how posting s/shots would help you ?

    In this case, it doesn't help at all, because I can't see the screenshots. The forum software, as usual, isn't working.

    You may have installed the "VSearch" trojan. Remove it as follows.

    Malware is always changing to get around the defenses against it. These instructions are valid as of now, as far as I know. They won't necessarily be valid in the future. Anyone finding this comment a few days or more after it was posted should look for more recent discussions or start a new one.

    Back up all data before proceeding.

    Step 1

    From the Safari menu bar, select

              Safari Preferences... Extensions

    Uninstall any extensions you don't know you need, including any that have the word "Spigot," "Trovi," or "Conduit" in the description. If in doubt, uninstall all extensions. Do the equivalent for the Firefox and Chrome browsers, if you use either of those.

    Reset the home page and default search engine in all the browsers, if it was changed.

    Step 2

    Triple-click anywhere in the line below on this page to select it:

    /Library/LaunchAgents/com.vsearch.agent.plist

    Right-click or control-click the line and select

              Services Reveal in Finder (or just Reveal)

    from the contextual menu.* A folder should open with an item named "com.vsearch.agent.plist" selected. Drag the selected item to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password.

    Repeat with each of these lines:

    /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.daemon.plist
    /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.vsearch.helper.plist

    Restart the computer and empty the Trash. Then delete the following items in the same way:

    /Library/Application Support/VSearch
    /System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework
    ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin

    Some of these items may be absent, in which case you'll get a message that the file can't be found. Skip that item and go on to the next one.

    The problem may have started when you downloaded and ran an application called "MPlayerX." That's the name of a legitimate free movie player, but the name is also used fraudulently to distribute VSearch. If there is an item with that name in the Applications folder, delete it, and if you wish, replace it with the genuine article from mplayerx.org.

    This trojan is often found on illegal websites that traffic in pirated content such as movies. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow.

    You may be wondering why you didn't get a warning from Gatekeeper about installing software from an unknown developer, as you should have. The reason is that the Internet criminal behind VSearch has a codesigning certificate issued by Apple, which causes Gatekeeper to give the installer a pass. Apple could revoke the certificate, but as of this writing has not done so, even though it's aware of the problem. This failure of oversight has compromised both Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. You can't rely on Gatekeeper alone to protect you from harmful software.

    *If you don't see the contextual menu item, copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C. In the Finder, select

              Go Go to Folder...

    from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.