How do I remove a virus from my iMac?

Question

Level 1

22 points

How do I remove a virus from my iMac?

My computer has a virus. I don't know what to do about it. MacKeeper was downloaded when I tried to update a Flash player. Now I'm having lots of problems and pop-ups. I trashed it and securely emptied the trash but I'm now getting messages that I have probably 2 viruses. I don't trust where this information is coming from and wonder how I can get rid of the viruses. I don't want to give anyone access to my computer to fix it online when I don't know who they are. Can I take it to an Apple Store or an Apple authorized dealer? Please help!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Mar 5, 2015 9:07 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Allan Eckert

Level 9

79,512 points

Mar 5, 2015 9:09 AM in response to glassydame

You don't have virus.

You most likely have adware, you can try http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

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Answer 2

glassydame Author

Level 1

22 points

Mar 5, 2015 9:24 AM in response to Allan Eckert

I keep getting a pop up that says my computer has been infected with Rootkit.spyware and Trojan.malware. It seems to be affecting Safari, but not Firefox. How do I get rid of these? Will the link you gave me before work on them?

Thanks!

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Answer 3

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,924 points

Mar 5, 2015 9:34 AM in response to glassydame

Different problem. These are scam pages that lock Safari to that page. You aren't infected with anything, despite what the page claims. Nothing was even download to your Mac. It's a JavaScript trick to keep Safari stuck to that page.

Force quit Safari. Hold the shift key and relaunch it.

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Answer 4

glassydame Author

Level 1

22 points

Mar 5, 2015 9:45 AM in response to Kurt Lang

For Alan and Kurt,

Thank you so much for your help. What a relief. I used the link http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php and it cleaned everything out in less than a minute. It had commandeered my Home Page, but I got that back now and so far no pop ups.

~~Margo

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Answer 5

Mar 5, 2015 11:13 AM in response to glassydame

You are welcome. Glad we could help.

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Answer 6

Oct 24, 2015 6:37 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Mate , you are a GENIUS ..ive been so depressed ..thinking my beautiful iMac was dead ….with an increasing number of pop ups that started taunting me with what they knew about my Mac's inner secrets ,,like my ISP etc …and NOW …after a few minutes it all looks like its GONE ..so i hope that is the last i will ever have this experience again. PHEW !!!! you did such a great service ..Thank you ….

Greetings from Downunder

redkelpie

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Answer 7

Feb 8, 2016 1:54 PM in response to glassydame

I have a virus that disabled Safari and a window popped up wanting me to call a 1800 scam to have it removed. My mac seems unharmed but safari is disabled. I ran a Mcaffy virus scan and it doesn't see it. How do I get rid if this sucker so I can use Safari again? Is Chrome more resistant to this crap? Thanks!

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Answer 8

Kurt Lang

Level 9

57,924 points

Feb 8, 2016 2:07 PM in response to tomholly97

Explained above. You don't a virus or any type of malware.

These are scam pages that lock Safari to that page. You aren't infected with anything, despite what the page claims. Nothing was even download to your Mac. It's a JavaScript trick to keep Safari stuck to that page.

Force quit Safari. Hold the shift key and relaunch it.

No. Chrome, Opera, Firefox or any other browser is not immune. The only way to completely prevent it is to turn JavaScript off in the browser's preferences. But if you do that, much of the web doesn't work.

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Answer 9

Feb 8, 2016 3:24 PM in response to tomholly97

The reply you posted in this certainly reflects that you failed to read the thread prior to posting here. Just a little bit of reading on your part would have saved you the trouble of posted because the question you posted has already been answered.

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Answer 10

Feb 8, 2016 4:03 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Allen, Don't be a snob... I'm literate and graduated with an advanced degree from a top institution. I read the thread and after pushing shift and quitting Safari the JavaScript is still there with the scam and Safari is frozen. I'm in the operating room all day and not behind a computer. Sorry, I know I'm inferior to you making $300k a year. Have a good day 😉

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Answer 11

John Galt

Level 10

141,024 points

Feb 8, 2016 4:20 PM in response to tomholly97

Please read Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popups and web pages for a description of, and the solution to, this common scam.

Uninstall "McAfee" according to its instructions. Do not use such garbage on Macs. Please read Effective defenses against malware and other threats.

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