HT201639: Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks

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frank diaz

Q: i downloaded adobe player and i think it gave me a virus

i downloaded adobe player and mac cleaner popped on my screen I've heard its a fake app that gives you a virus idk what to do any help?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 9:02 AM

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Q: i downloaded adobe player and i think it gave me a virus

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  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Apr 10, 2016 11:04 AM in response to frank diaz
    Level 9 (58,274 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 10, 2016 11:04 AM in response to frank diaz

    Don't download it.

     

    See this article for suggestions:

     

    Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popups and web pages

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Apr 10, 2016 11:56 AM in response to frank diaz
    Level 10 (207,925 points)
    Applications
    Apr 10, 2016 11:56 AM in response to frank diaz

    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.

    Back up all data first.

    Some of the most common types of adware can be removed by following Apple's instructions. But before you follow those instructions, you can attempt an automatic removal.

    If you're not already running the latest version of OS X ("El Capitan"), updating or upgrading in the App Store may cause the adware to be removed automatically. If you're already running the latest version of El Capitan, you can nevertheless download the current updater from the Apple Support Downloads page and run it. Again, some kinds of malware will be removed—not all. There is no such thing as automatic removal of all possible malware, either by OS X or by third-party software. That's why you can't rely on software to protect you.

    If the malware is removed in your case, you'll still need to make changes to the way you use the computer to protect yourself from further attacks. Ask if you need guidance.

    If the malware is not removed automatically, and you can't remove it yourself by following Apple's instructions, see below.

    This easy procedure will detect any kind of adware that I know of. Deactivating it is a separate, and even easier, procedure.

    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. Also, some websites carry intrusive popup ads that may be mistaken for adware.

    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 Duane,

    Duane Duane Apr 10, 2016 12:18 PM in response to frank diaz
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 12:18 PM in response to frank diaz

    a) Where did you download "adobe player" from?

     

    b) By "adobe player" do you mean Adobe Flash player? You should only download that directly from Adobe at https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Apr 10, 2016 12:50 PM in response to frank diaz
    Level 8 (48,395 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 10, 2016 12:50 PM in response to frank diaz

    frank diaz wrote:

     

    i downloaded adobe player ...

     

    You probably downloaded and installed something fraudulently claiming to be Adobe Flash Player. Please read Beware bogus Adobe Flash "installers" for a few examples of them.

     

    There are two other links in that User Tip that you should read also.