Virus found on Mac from website?

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Level 1

8 points

Virus found on Mac from website?

I also have questions about running a virus scan on Mac. My situation: I visited a website that is a usually site I often visit and received an error message stating that a virus had been detected from the website and that I needed to run a virus scan on my Mac.

I have never heard of a virus on a Mac before. (Which is one of the main reasons I switched to Mac.) So, I am curious if anyone is familiar with this scenario? Is ClamXav safe to download and run? Does Yosemite have built in malware protection and/or virus scans that will be enough?

I am running OS X Yosemite version 10.10.2
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

Thanks

OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Mar 25, 2015 8:24 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

FoxFifth

Level 10

469,005 points

Mar 25, 2015 8:51 AM in response to c693279

The following has good information and discusses ClamXav: http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg-antivirus/

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 7

34,996 points

Mar 25, 2015 8:54 AM in response to c693279

Do you have the web site URL or address for the page you say you were visiting when

the adware suggestion to get some third-party product, appeared on your screen?

That could be sent to Apple Feedback, if it were really an Apple page. But not so likely.

If you have that URL post it here, as a matter of curiosity if nothing else. Adware or

extensions in your browser from other online sites could be a source contamination.

Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

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Answer 3

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,221 points

Mar 25, 2015 2:01 PM in response to c693279

See my reply to your previous posting or read

How to overcome Safari hijacked by a JavaScript warning.

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Answer 4

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,221 points

Mar 25, 2015 2:18 PM in response to c693279

ADDED:

Is ClamXav safe to download and run?

Yes, but that's not what you need. There is no "virus" and no other malware. You might have adware, but ClamXav is not the right tool to find it all.

ClamXav is available from the App Store and a slightly newer and more capable version from the developer's web site. If you decide to use it and have questions, visit the ClamXav Forum for fastest, most efficient answers.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,547 points

Mar 25, 2015 2:18 PM in response to c693279

You don't have a "virus." Any warning to that effect that you see on any website is a scam. Always.

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Answer 6

c693279 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 26, 2015 9:41 AM in response to MadMacs0

Thanks. Yeah, that's sort of what I thought was happening. At the time I shut down Safari and restarted the computer. I will search for unfamiliar files.

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Answer 7

c693279 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 26, 2015 9:42 AM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks. That's what I was thinking, but wanted to check with those who have more knowledge and experience than I do.

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Answer 8

c693279 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 26, 2015 9:47 AM in response to K Shaffer

I have not been able to recreate the same thing today. At the time I shut down Safari and then the computer thinking, as Linc Davis and MadMacs0 suggested, that it was some sort of phishing scam.

I had several sites open in tabs. Since you asked, I was searching familiar brand name sites for a swimsuit.
http://www.bravissimo.com/
http://www.freyalingerie.com/swim.aspx#!t=8039,8040,8041&i=25,33
http://www.panache-lingerie.com/en/products/details/panache-swim/britt/high-wais ted-pant/red-spot

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Answer 9

c693279 Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 26, 2015 10:41 AM in response to MadMacs0

Does this website have an update for Safari Version 8.0.4 or Yosemite vs previous versions? The menu options I have do not match what is in the article. I will search around in my menus and see what I can find. (This is not unusual for Yosemite.)

Thanks!

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Answer 10

MadMacs0

Level 5

5,221 points

Mar 26, 2015 11:29 AM in response to c693279

c693279 wrote:

Does this website have an update for Safari Version 8.0.4 or Yosemite vs previous versions?

The article was just published on Tuesday and all the screenshots make it clear that the author was using Yosemite.

The menu options I have do not match what is in the article.

I am using Safari 8 with Yosemite and everything matches for me, so which are you having difficulty with? Most menu options refer to the Activity Monitor app (found in /Applications/Utilities/) or the Finder and not Safari.

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Answer 11

Aug 22, 2015 9:49 AM in response to Linc Davis

Yesterday, a window popped up saying my computer had been infected by a virus from a web-site I visited. The info box contained the browser logo and name of my local ISP. It may have also had my name or e-mail address but I was so startled I shut everything down. I'm seeing conflicting opinions on whether to download detection/protection. Some say it slows computer and is not needed. I need clarity. Imac, Snow Leopard, 10.6.

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Answer 12

Aug 22, 2015 2:57 PM in response to judithfromhilton head island

It is a scam. Forget it. You do not need any anti virus software. Practice safe computing and do not click on or call links or numbers in these popups.

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