Q: ANNOYING MACKEEPER TABS AND POPUP ADS WHILST USING SAFARI - HOW DO I GET RID OF THEM?

MacKeeper is the worst bug to get. I use the app Cookie to delete it.

Have to assume you know you have MacKeeper.  To remove it follow the instructions in this article,

http://applehelpwriter.com/2011/09/21/how-to-uninstall-mackeeper-malware/

I cannot see how cookie can remove it.

There is probably a cookie inside your browser. Try doing a search for it inside your history or cache.

If you find it, delete it.

You should empty your browser cache and delete your history afterwards. Think of it as resetting your browser.

Then do a restart to see if that helps.

(do these steps on any public computer btw.)

It is probably masquerading under some other download.  Read the article through and follow the instructions.  If you are having trouble, this is another way to remove it.

http://sqwarq.com/detectx/

Edit.   You have to scroll down the page to a Junuary update.

Check the links below for options to remove the Adware.

The Easy, safe, effective method:

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

If you are comfortable doing manual file removals use the somewhat more difficult method:

http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987

Also read the articles below to be more prepared for the next time there is an issue on your computer.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7471

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-8071

christopherfromsausalito wrote:

 

There is probably a cookie inside your browser. Try doing a search for it inside your history or cache.

This is not due to a cookie. Even if it were, I'm not sure how you're supposed to search for it in the history or the cache. That's rather like telling someone to look for a jug of milk in the dishwasher or the fireplace. Removing cookies, if one decides it must be done, is properly accomplished through your browser's cookie management features, not through the history or the cache.

This is adware. See stedman1's reply.

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem. You may have installed a variant of the "VSearch" ad-injection malware.

Malware is always changing to get around the defenses against it. This procedure works as of now, as far as I know. It may not work in the future. Anyone finding this comment a few days or more after it was posted should look for a more recent discussion, or start a new one.

The VSearch malware tries to hide itself by varying the names of the files it installs. To remove it, you must first identify the naming pattern.

Triple-click the line below on this page to select it, then copy the text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination  command-C:

/Library/LaunchDaemons

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.

A folder named "LaunchDaemons" may open. Look inside it for two files with names of the form

          com.something.daemon.plist

and

           com.something.helper.plist

Here something is a variable word, which can be different in each case. So far it has always been a string of letters without punctuation, such as "cloud," "dot," "highway," "submarine," or "trusteddownloads." Sometimes the word is "apple," and then you must be especially careful not to delete the wrong files, because many built-in OS X files have similar names.

If you find these files, leave the LaunchDaemons folder open, and open the following folder in the same way:

/Library/LaunchAgents

In this folder, there may be a file named

          com.something.agent.plist

where the word something is the same as before.

If you feel confident that you've identified the above files, back up all data, then drag just those three files—nothing else—to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Close the Finder windows and restart the computer.

Don't delete the "LaunchAgents" or "LaunchDaemons" folder or anything else inside either one.

The malware is now permanently inactivated, as long as you never reinstall it. You can stop here if you like, or you can remove two remaining components for the sake of completeness.

Open this folder:

/Library/Application Support

If it has a subfolder named just

           something

where something is the same word you saw before, drag that subfolder to the Trash and close the window.

Don't delete the "Application Support" folder or anything else inside it.

Finally, in this folder:

/System/Library/Frameworks

there may an item named exactly

            v.framework

It's actually a folder, though it has a different icon than usual. This item always has the above name. Drag it to the Trash and close the window.

Don't delete the "Frameworks" folder or anything else inside it.

If you didn't find the files or you're not sure about the identification, post what you found.

If in doubt, or if you have no backups, change nothing at all.

The trouble 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. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.

In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere  should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.

Then, still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked

          Install system data files and security updates (OS X 10.10 or later)

or

          Download updates automatically (OS X 10.9 or earlier)

if it's not already checked.

I have the same problems of browser hijack. Here are the four files in LaunchDaemons;

1. com.adobe.fpsaud.plist

2. com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist

3. com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist

4. com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist

Here are two files in LaunchAgents

5. com.hp.productresearch.plist

6. com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist

Which three files need to be deleted? I have numbered them for convenience. I am posting this from a second mac I have the one that has the problem has a safari browser that is unusable. I shall await your instructions. Thanks so much.

I went to the Library/Application Support and found a folder called Oracle, which contained a subfolder called Java. Java subfolder has Info.plist and javaws, nothing else.

Under Library/Frameworks, I have vmnet.framework. There is no Oracle folder under Library.

Which three files need to be deleted?

None. You don't have VSearch. Posting your own question in someone else's thread is not the best way to get help on this site. Please follow the instructions in the Apple Support article linked below, and if the problem isn't solved that way, start your own discussion with a full description of the problem. You'll have as much chance as anyone else of getting a useful response.

Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support

Sorry, did not realize that I should start a new discussion. I will do so. Thanks.

Linc Davis

Thanks a lot for your help. Its work for me today, 10/03/2015.

The other thread that you answer didn't work for me, but this one yes!