How can I stop the annoying PastaLeads ads?

Click here and follow the instructions, or if there’s a type of adware not covered by them on the computer, these ones. If you're willing to use a tool to remove it(you don't need to, but may find it easier), you can instead run Adware Medic; this link is a direct download.

(126242)

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem. You installed the "Flashmall" trojan. Take the steps below to disable it.

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.

Back up all data before continuing.

1. 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/LaunchAgents

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 "LaunchAgents" will open.

2. Inside the folder you just opened, there may be files with a name beginning in any of the following ways:

com.crossrider

com.extensions

com.flashmall

com.webhelper

com.webtools

flashmall

UpdateDownloader

WebSocketServerApp

Some of these files may be absent. Move any that you have to the Trash and close the Finder window. Log out or restart the computer. The trojan will now be inactive, but there are a few more components of it that should be cleaned up.

3. Do as in Step 1 with this line:

~/Library/Application Support

A folder named "Application Support" will open. Inside it there may be a subfolder with this name:

webHelperApp

If so, move that subfolder—not the "Application Support" folder—to the Trash.

4. Open this folder in the same way as above:

~/Library/ScriptingAdditions

and remove an item named

BrowserHelper.osax

if present.

5. Open this folder:

~/Library

Look for subfolders with either of these names:

flashmall

WebTools

and move them to the Trash, if present.

6. Open the Applications folder. If it contains an item named "Flashmall" or "WebTools", move that to the Trash.

Empty the Trash.

7. From the Safari menu bar, select

Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Extensions

Uninstall all extensions you don't know you need. If in doubt, remove all of them. None is required for normal operation. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those.

Linc,

Many, Many, Many thanks! I have been a MacUser since 1987 (Maybe Mac Fanatic) and this is the first "real" intrusion I have suffered. At this moment it seems the annoying Flashmall and PastaLeads ads are gone. I followed your step-by-step instructions and may be back to normal for the moment. I believe I know the moment of infection and did not give permissions to change "system or give access" but merely had begun the process of a download. Something "seemed off" and I canceled out. Apparently not before harm was done.

I am grateful for your expertise and hope not to need additional assistance. The swiftness and slick nature of this intrusion alarms me and will try to be more cautious in the future.

15" MacBook Pro (mid 2010) System 10.8.5

You're a Lifesaver!