Bees11

Q: Adware / Malware on my mac, pls help!

Hi All,

 

There is a new Malware/Adware

 

I've been trying to do everything possible to remove it by clearing my browser history and removing any unwanted extensions, unfortunately this is not helping me much. Request you all to help remove this Adware/Malware.

 

I have a Mac Air 13" 2014 make, i'm running this on OS X Yosemite.

 

Your help is much appreciated. TIA

 

 

<Link Edited by Host>

MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), null

Posted on Aug 25, 2015 6:16 AM

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Q: Adware / Malware on my mac, pls help!

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  • Helpful answers

  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones Aug 25, 2015 6:17 AM in response to Bees11
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    Aug 25, 2015 6:17 AM in response to Bees11

    If possible, download Malwarebytes for Mac and run it.  You should always have an anti-virus program and an anti-malware program on your computer, whether you have a Mac or a PC; even if nothing ever infects your system, it's a nice bit of peace of mind.  After you run it, follow the instructions for deleting whatever is found, then go ahead and update to 10.10.5 so you're running the current version.  A couple of times a month, do a full anti-virus/anti-malware scan of your system, and don't ever click on any link or download anything you're not 100% about, even if you know who sent it to you.

     

    I hope this helps.

  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Aug 25, 2015 7:42 AM in response to Bees11
    Level 8 (37,837 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 25, 2015 7:42 AM in response to Bees11

    I would suggest using Malwarebytes for Mac as linked above since it will detect and remove any adware for you. This if you're uncomfortable trying to remove adware manually. Removing adware is all it does, and then exits.

     

    I would definitely NOT suggest installing or using any kind of anti-virus or other such software on your Mac. There are no viruses for the Mac, so there is nothing to detect. What malware there is for the Mac are all in the form of Trojans, which is software you have to be tricked into installing in some way. No AV software anywhere can stop you from doing that. So the only thing any AV software currently does is screw up your system and slow it down.

  • by Bees11,

    Bees11 Bees11 Aug 25, 2015 9:08 AM in response to pinkstones
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 9:08 AM in response to pinkstones

    Hi pinkstones,

     

    Thanks for your reply, i'm not comfortable in installing any antivirus or malware softwares as it slows down my mac.

  • by Bees11,

    Bees11 Bees11 Aug 25, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 9:11 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    Hi Kurt Lang,

     

    Thanks for your reply, I would not be comfortable in installing antivirus or malwarebytes. However i'm more comfortable in removing the adware manually. Much appreciated if you can help me in guiding to remove adware manually.

     

    TIA.

  • by Kurt Lang,Solvedanswer

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Aug 25, 2015 9:22 AM in response to Bees11
    Level 8 (37,837 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 25, 2015 9:22 AM in response to Bees11

    Some adware is easy to remove manually. Others very tedious as you have to dig through system folders to get rid of all the pieces.

     

    You can follow Apple's manual instructions for removing adware.

     

    It should be noted that Apple's manual removal instructions are typically outdated. Sometimes a lot outdated. It depends on when Apple last updated their instructions page. You can find much more up-to-date instructions on The Safe Mac's adware removal page.

     

    The removal of Genieo can be dangerous if done incorrectly. As in, your Mac can be rendered unbootable. If you find components of Genieo as noted by either Apple's instructions of those found at The Safe Mac, make sure to follow them to the letter to put files in the trash, restart the Mac and empty the trash EXACTLY in the order listed.

  • by John Galt,Helpful

    John Galt John Galt Aug 25, 2015 9:20 AM in response to Bees11
    Level 8 (49,226 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 25, 2015 9:20 AM in response to Bees11

    You do not need to download or install anything to fix it.

     

    For a description of how this may have occurred, how to avoid it in the future, and for Apple's recommended actions read How to install adware. Apple's instructions are linked in the Recovery Procedure near the end of that document. Read and follow them carefully. Pay particular attention to the easily overlooked passages directing you to restart your Mac when required.

     

    Review your Gatekeeper settings: OS X : About Gatekeeper - Apple Support. Gatekeeper is designed to help prevent you from inadvertently installing garbage software.

  • by Bees11,

    Bees11 Bees11 Aug 25, 2015 9:41 AM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 9:41 AM in response to Kurt Lang

    Hi Kurt,

     

    Thanks for your reply, this will help me for sure!

  • by Bees11,

    Bees11 Bees11 Aug 25, 2015 9:43 AM in response to John Galt
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 25, 2015 9:43 AM in response to John Galt

    Hi John,

    Thanks for your reply. It is a useful tip.

  • by Bees11,

    Bees11 Bees11 Aug 26, 2015 1:24 AM in response to Bees11
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 26, 2015 1:24 AM in response to Bees11

    UPDATE

     

    Hi All,

     

    I did some research on this issue, i found that this particular Adware is picked up from Public Wifi networks. (Yes, I did use a public Wifi at a restaurant, only after that i faced this issue). It is suggestible to avoid Public Wifi networks.

     

    Thank you all for your replies.

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 26, 2015 3:30 PM in response to Bees11
    Level 9 (71,593 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 26, 2015 3:30 PM in response to Bees11

    You can also go to System Preferences/Security & Privacy and turn the Firewall on.