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I keep having these pop ups that always come when I click on something else whay should I do?

I keep having these pop ups that always come when I click on something else whay should I do?

MacBook Pro, iOS 8.0.2

Posted on May 6, 2015 8:06 PM

Reply
5 replies

May 6, 2015 9:35 PM in response to Tykisha23

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.

May 7, 2015 3:31 AM in response to Tykisha23

I would suggest that you DO download AdwareMedic. It is a very fast download and when opened will run very quickly. Suggesting that a download is more complicated or will take longer than following the multistep procedure advocated by Linc Davis should be viewed as an erroneous inference.


Unlike Linc Davis' narrowly focused suggestion, AdwareMedic is designed to identify numerous possible problem makers. Therefore it will not be only easier to use but the chances for a successful resolution are much improved. In addition, the complicated procedures advocated by Linc Davis, by comparison, invites the possibility of unnecessary errors and mistakes.


Note that many users have been advised to use Adwaremedic by Apple telephone support and numerous technicians at Apple store genius bars in lieu of the Apple support article. They have found that it is simpler to use and more efficient.


So keep it fast and simple, use AdwareMedic. If there is no success, then by all means try the cumbersome procedure posted by Linc Davis. But the chances are that you will not need to. I have used Adwaremedic successfully and can endorse it's use.


This post is not under copyright and can be used in part or whole without attribution.


Ciao.

May 7, 2015 5:37 AM in response to Tykisha23

Any time an anonymous stranger, who doesn't represent Apple and is completely unaccountable for his actions, tells you to ignore the instructions of Apple Support and instead run unknown software of his choice, you should regard that advice with the utmost suspicion. Do you have any reason to trust the stranger, or the software? I wouldn't.

Trusting strangers and software without a good reason is the mistake that caused the problem in the first place. If you keep making that mistake, you'll be victimized over and over again by Internet criminals, and neither "adwaremedic" nor anything else will save you from the consequences—which may be much worse next time than just seeing ads in a web browser.

It's sometimes stated or implied on this site that Apple endorses "adwaremedic." The following facts would have to be explained by anyone who makes that claim.

1. The Apple Support page that covers adware removal doesn't mention "adwaremedic" or any other third-party software as a solution.

2. In this ASC discussion, I made the same suggestion that I've made in this thread. Others suggested "adwaremedic." You'll notice that my comment, and only mine, is flagged as "Recommended." That recommendation came, not from the questioner, but from one of the Community Specialists, who represent Apple Support, as explained here.

So in that instance, an Apple representative recommended, not "adwaremedic," but rather Apple's own published instructions—as one would expect. He or she expressed the view that Apple's instructions are "helpful, clear, and relevant," contrary to what other users of this site (who don't represent Apple) may tell you.

Whatever reasons there might be for choosing to use "adwaremedic," the idea that Apple endorses it is not one of them.

May 7, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Tykisha23

If some one is actively discouraging you from 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.


Note that Linc Davis' statement "Any time an anonymous stranger, who doesn't represent Apple and is completely unaccountable for his actions, tells you to ignore the instructions of Apple Support and instead run unknown software of his choice..." is false. No one here is suggesting that the Apple support option NOt be used but rather should be the second choice.


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. His allusion that only Apple support articles have legitimacy in problem solution is a spurious one. Apple does not now and never had issued a statement that only their support articles are to be used for problem solving.


If you search these forums you will find that many, many users have used it with success and have been grateful for the advice. I have used AdwareMedic with excellent results and I fully endorse it.


Note that Linc Davis is also an 'anonymous stranger' as is any person on these forums. Is he to be trusted more than others? If his argument were brought to its logical conclusion, all responses, including his, would have to be challenged by an OP. Naturally a scenario such as that would make these forums totally unworkable. We do not and never will live in a perfect world, but In essence this is an argument looking for a problem that does not exist.


One is entitled to express ones thoughts on these subjects, but opinions do not by definition always equate to facts.


Ciao.

I keep having these pop ups that always come when I click on something else whay should I do?

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