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My computer keeps redirecting me. How can I fix this?

I'm using a MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013), my processor speed is 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5, my memory is 4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 and my storage is 121 GB. Also, my operating system is Version 10.10.2. When I try to go to websites my computer keeps redirecting me. There are also hyperlinks showing up everywhere (like below), ads popping up and it's not allowing me to click on links. It's doing this in both Chrome and Safari. I had something like this a while back that was from "Conduit". I followed some steps from a website to get it off and it worked. I would cite what website it was, but I can't remember because it wasn't recent. It seemed like it came back right after I updated my computer. I've looked through most of my files to see if there was anything fishy and it looked fine. I also checked my extensions, but it looked fine too. Can someone help me fix my computer because it is making it really hard to use it? Thanks

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Posted on Mar 28, 2015 12:35 PM

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Posted on Mar 28, 2015 12:40 PM

Try AdwareMedic:


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


An secondary alternative is this Apple support article:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987h


This may help your situation.


Ciao.

5 replies

Mar 28, 2015 3:12 PM in response to pottermore

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

You may have installed one or more of the common types of ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it. It's been reported that some variants of the "VSearch" malware block access to the page. If that happens, start in safe mode by holding down the shift key at the startup chime, then try again.

Back up all data before making any changes.

One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.

If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, ask for further instructions.

Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. It may have come from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.

Malware is also found on websites that traffic in pirated content such as video. 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.

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.

Mar 28, 2015 3:41 PM in response to pottermore

If some one is actively discouraging you from refraining using a third party application that may well solve your problem, it should arouse questions on your part. To be sure there may be more than one solution, but should not that be presented as such rather than telling you to use an already proposed alternative. Your best interests are not being well served and it certainly raises questions as to the motives involved in such an action..


Ask Linc Davis if he has ever used AdwareMedic or tested it. If so, then if there are dangers associated with it, should he not disclose those? Silence on his part regarding this aspect indicates that he has not done so, or if he has then there, are other reasons for his discouraging one to use AdwareMedic.


If you search these forums you will find that many, many users have used it with success and have been grateful for the advice. What has not been mentioned is that some users have had AdwareMedic recommended by Apple telephone support and technicians at some Apple store genius bars.


I have used AdwareMedic with excellent results and I fully endorse it.


Ciao.

My computer keeps redirecting me. How can I fix this?

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