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Deleting spigot

I can't delete Spigot - Application Manager because it's always in use. I've uninstalled all the relevant extensions and links on Chrome and Safari, but I feel like I should also delete the Application Manager itself because it's a part of the Malware. How do I completely delete a file that's in use? Or how do I completely delete the Spigot file?

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Jul 26, 2015 5:00 AM

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Posted on Jul 26, 2015 8:43 AM

http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-spigot/

3 replies

Jul 26, 2015 4:48 PM in response to 1992harry

You installed the "Spigot" ad-injection malware. 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 one or more files with a name beginning as follows:

com.spigot

Move all such items to the Trash.

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

and remove an item named

Spigot

If it's present.

Empty the Trash.

4. From the Safari menu bar, select

Safari Preferences... Extensions

Uninstall all extensions you don't know you need, including any with the word "Spigot" in the description. 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.

Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. Chances are you got it from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic," "CNET Download," or "SourceForge." Never visit any 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.

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.

Deleting spigot

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