'Unable to connect to the proxy server' possible malware?

Garret was referring to 'Apple menu > System Preferences > Network'. Select the connection you use for the internet (Wifi, Ethernet etc). Click the advanced button & look in the 'Proxies' tab.

Are any items enabled? Post back with info if they are, you may see text stating …

Bypass proxy setting for these Hosts & Domains:

*.local, 169.254/16

That is normal & can be ignored.

Extensions are simply add-ons for browsers. They are not malware unless you have installed junk applications that try to hijack your browser.

Make a list of any installed extensions for each browser & post it here for feedback.

Safari has the option to disable them in the Preferences, Extensions tab. Disable them & retest.

Firefox has 'Tools > Addons', then select the Extensions & disable them & retest.

Chrome has 'Window > Extensions'. Again disable & retest.

If the browsers work you can re-eanble the extensions one by one & see which causes the problem. Install updates if you have them for the browsers & the extensions.

P.S.

Proxies are also used to speed up certain websites - try several sites to be sure that all show the proxy error - sometimes it can be the fault of the site.

Did you mess with your proxy sever? If you go to settings>wifi>[current internet connected to]>arrow you should see proxy settings. If the tab menu says Manual in the Proxy Settings: section. If so, click Auto in the tab menu and a reboot would help. If the problem continues, contact Apple & your ISP.

Garret Stand

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I have Avast but it did not detect anything

That's because Avast itself is causing the problem, almost certainly.

"Avast" is the worst of the whole wretched lot of commercial "security" products for the Mac. Not only does it fail to protect you from any real danger, it may send personal data (such as web browsing history and the contents of email messages) back to the developer without your knowledge, give false warnings, destabilize and slow down the computer, expose you to network attack, and corrupt the network settings and the permissions of files in your home folder. Removing it may not repair all the damage.

Some versions of the product also inject advertising into web pages. In short, apart from the fine print in the license agreement, Avast is indistinguishable from malware, and is arguably worse than any known malware now in circulation.

Back up all data, then remove Avast according to the developer's instructions. Restart. Never install any "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" software again.

If you tried to remove Avast by dragging an application to the Trash, you'll have to reinstall it and then follow the instructions linked above.

Start up in Recovery mode. In the OS X Utilities screen, select Get Help Online. A clean copy of Safari will launch. No plugins, such as Flash, will be available. While in Recovery, you'll have no access to your saved bookmarks or passwords, so make a note of those before you begin, if they're needed for the test.

Test. After testing, restart as usual and post the results.

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem.

Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

Im referring to the internet settings in 'Apple menu > System Preferences > Network' you should see proxy settings.

Try using option-d at startup it will online diagnostic test. It is sort of like a internet test because it gets files online to boot up diagnostic. If it fails, post the results of the test.

Let's first learn what is "unable to connect to the proxy server" error and why this error appears?

The proxy server works as an intermediate between you (the user) and the website. Your identity is kept safe and you are also able to access the websites which were once blocked. “Unable to connect to the proxy server” error means that there is some specific problem with the internet settings of the internet connection you are currently using. If there is any malicious software installed on your system then also you can get this error.

Here's how to fix “Unable to connect to the proxy server” error:

• At first, open Google Chrome browser and then go to Settings → Show Advanced Options.
• After that go to Network → Change proxy Settings…
• Open the connections tab and then click on LAN Settings option.
• Now go “Local Area Network (LAN) Settings” tab and from the "Proxy server" section disable “Use a proxy server for your LAN (These settings will not apply to dial-up or VPN connections)” option. Select Ok and then again Ok.

Once done, reboot your system. That's it!

In order to see step by step methods along with screenshots, follow this guide How to Fix Error “Unable to connect to the proxy server” in Chrome:

http://www.zerodollartips.com/fix-error-unable-to-connect-to-the-proxy-server/