Cegoodrch

Q: I'm being redirected to other websites

I've applied the most recent updates to my MacBook Air and when I try to access a website and enter something in the search area, I am redirected to another site such as cdn.freefacet.com.  I tried accessing support from my MacBook Air and when I click on a topic, a pop up comes up asking me to call computer support, when I try to close it, I get redirected to a site for a windows repair kit.  I have the pop up blocker on, have cleared out the cookies and am still having issues.  What can I do to fix this problem?

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Aug 12, 2015 8:52 AM

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Q: I'm being redirected to other websites

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  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Aug 12, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Cegoodrch
    Level 5 (7,832 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 12, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Cegoodrch

    First, I will ask our hosts to move this to the Safari forum - you have a modern Mac with the latest OSX (Yosemite) - this is the OS X 10.4 "Tiger" forum, a vintage OS X.

     

    You have some form of AdWare - this stuff is 'installed' by you after some error in judgement.

     

    Apple Support is SAFE from this stuff, so whatever "support" you "... tried accessing support from my MacBook Air and when I click on a topic, a pop up comes up asking me to call computer support ... " is not an Apple Support page of any kind.

     

    Download and run > Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac (formerly AdwareMedic) - then let us know the outcome.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Aug 12, 2015 9:23 AM in response to Cegoodrch
    Level 10 (207,995 points)
    Applications
    Aug 12, 2015 9:23 AM in response to Cegoodrch

    You may have installed ad-injection malware ("adware").

    Don't use any kind of "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" product on a Mac. There is never a need for it, and relying on it for protection makes you more vulnerable to attack, not less.

    This easy procedure will detect any kind of adware that I know of. Deactivating it is a separate, and even easier, procedure that doesn't involve downloading anything.

    Some legitimate software is ad-supported and may display ads in its own windows or in a web browser while it's running. That's not malware and it may not show up.

    If none of your web browsers is working well enough to carry out these instructions, restart the computer in safe mode. That will disable the malware temporarily.

    Step 1

    Please 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. Press return. Either a folder named "LaunchAgents" will open, or you'll get a notice that the folder can't be found. If the folder isn't found, go to the next step.

    If the folder does open, press the key combination command-2 to select list view, if it's not already selected. Please don't skip this step.

    There should be a column in the Finder window headed Date Modified. Click that heading twice to sort the contents by date with the newest at the top. If necessary, enlarge the window so that all of the contents are showing.

    Follow the instructions in this support article under the heading "Take a screenshot of a window." An image file with a name beginning in "Screen Shot" should be saved to the Desktop. Open the screenshot and make sure it's readable. If not, capture a smaller part of the screen showing only what needs to be shown.

    Start a reply to this message. Drag the image file into the editing window to upload it. You can also include text in the reply.

    Leave the folder open for now.

    Step 2

    Do as in Step 1 with this line:

    /Library/LaunchAgents

    The folder that may open will have the same name, but is not the same, as the one in Step 1. As in that step, the folder may not exist.

    Step 3

    Repeat with this line:

    /Library/LaunchDaemons

    This time the folder will be named "LaunchDaemons."

    Step 4

    Open the Safari preferences window and select the Extensions tab. If any extensions are listed, post a screenshot. If there are no extensions, or if you can't launch Safari, skip this step.

    Step 5

    If you use the Firefox or Chrome browser, open its extension list and do as in Step 4.

  • by Cegoodrch,

    Cegoodrch Cegoodrch Aug 12, 2015 12:37 PM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 12, 2015 12:37 PM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Thank you!  That did the trick.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Aug 12, 2015 1:36 PM in response to Cegoodrch
    Level 5 (7,832 points)
    Notebooks
    Aug 12, 2015 1:36 PM in response to Cegoodrch

    Glad to hear it. There are indeed  ways to manually fix your problem, but the learning curve and tedium are not what most folks want to tackle.

     

    There is much ado concerning the merits of AdwareMedic v. diving into the  Finder - as evidenced in this thread (where in this post I attempt to 'mediate' a bit) Re: Adwaremedic is it safe ? - a Senior Editor at Macworld endorses its use in a link provided there

     

    CCC

    --
    Let’s be careful out there.
    [close of every roll call]
    Michael Conrad as Sgt. Phil Esterhaus – NYPD Blue