apeters37

Q: what malware program recommended

I think I have malware form a plug in (flash player).  What anti viral/ malware software is recommended?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Dec 19, 2014 11:39 AM

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Q: what malware program recommended

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  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Dec 19, 2014 11:41 AM in response to apeters37
    Level 10 (271,392 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 19, 2014 11:41 AM in response to apeters37

    Helpful Links Regarding Malware Problems

     

    If you are having an immediate problem with ads popping up see The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide, AdwareMedic, or Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support.

     

    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.

     

    The following comes from user stevejobsfan0123. I have made minor changes to adapt to this presentation.

     

    Fix Some Browser Pop-ups That Take Over Safari.

     

    Common pop-ups include a message saying the government has seized your computer and you must pay to have it released (often called "Moneypak"), or a phony message saying that your computer has been infected, and you need to call a tech support number (sometimes claiming to be Apple) to get it resolved. First, understand that these pop-ups are not caused by a virus and your computer has not been affected. This "hijack" is limited to your web browser. Also understand that these messages are scams, so do not pay any money, call the listed number, or provide any personal information. This article will outline the solution to dismiss the pop-up.

     

    Quit Safari

     

    Usually, these pop-ups will not go away by either clicking "OK" or "Cancel." Furthermore, several menus in the menu bar may become disabled and show in gray, including the option to quit Safari. You will likely have to force quit Safari. To do this, press Command + option + esc, select Safari, and press Force Quit.

     

    Relaunch Safari

     

    If you relaunch Safari, the page will reopen. To prevent this from happening, hold down the 'Shift' key while opening Safari. This will prevent windows from the last time Safari was running from reopening.

     

    This will not work in all cases. The shift key must be held at the right time, and in some cases, even if done correctly, the window reappears. In these circumstances, after force quitting Safari, turn off Wi-Fi or disconnect Ethernet, depending on how you connect to the Internet. Then relaunch Safari normally. It will try to reload the malicious webpage, but without a connection, it won't be able to. Navigate away from that page by entering a different URL, i.e. www.apple.com, and trying to load it. Now you can reconnect to the Internet, and the page you entered will appear rather than the malicious one.

     

    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 everything targeting the Mac.

    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 thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Dec 20, 2014 4:14 AM in response to apeters37
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 20, 2014 4:14 AM in response to apeters37

    apeters37 wrote:

     

    I think I have malware form a plug in (flash player).

     

    What makes you think that? What specific symptoms are you seeing?

  • by apeters37,

    apeters37 apeters37 Dec 21, 2014 11:20 AM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2014 11:20 AM in response to thomas_r.

    There is erratic patterns when some pages are open.  It is similar to the digital image breaking up.  I am also experiencing frequent loss of internet connection.  I have to go back into setting and reconnect with the server.  My husband is not getting these problems with his computer but he also has a PC.

  • by Allan Eckert,Helpful

    Allan Eckert Allan Eckert Dec 21, 2014 11:27 AM in response to apeters37
    Level 9 (53,793 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 21, 2014 11:27 AM in response to apeters37

    Rather then virus or malware, the description of your problems sounds more like the graphic chip in your rMBP is going bad. You might want to call Apple to make an appointment to have them look at it.

  • by apeters37,Solvedanswer

    apeters37 apeters37 Dec 21, 2014 4:59 PM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2014 4:59 PM in response to Allan Eckert

    Thanks so much.  I will see someone at our local Apple store on Dec 26. 

  • by apeters37,

    apeters37 apeters37 Jan 18, 2015 10:09 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 18, 2015 10:09 AM in response to Allan Eckert

    I had a difficult time pin pointing the correct discussion group.  Finally found it.  I took my lap top to the Apple store.  That found you were right but the problem went deeper.  Both the logic board and had drive were replaced.  I have the hard drive with no moving parts, they don't have to replace them often so it meant sending for it.  After a week I was all set.  Another 2 months and I would have been out of warranty.  I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me.  Thank you so much

  • by apeters37,

    apeters37 apeters37 Jan 18, 2015 10:17 AM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 18, 2015 10:17 AM in response to thomas_r.

    You ask the right question.  Thank you