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Suspected Malware Site Warning

So from time to time I'll get this warning that pops up in my Safari browser saying "Suspected Malware Site". It's not a pop up it just opens a new tab, and it's not always on the same site it just randomly pops up every couple of hours or so no matter what site I'm on or may be opening. I can tell when it's going to pop up because my cursor changes from an arrow to the little pointing no matter where I move it. So far my Macbook Pro hasn't been giving me any problems and doesn't show any signs of Malware or any other virus other than that reoccurring tab opening and saying "Suspected Malware Site". But I figured it'd be best to check this issue now before it leads to any major problems later on. Is there any way to verify if I have Malware? And if so what can I do to fix it and to prevent this from happening again?


Macbook Pro OSX El Capitan 10.11.4

Safari version 9.1


P.S.

Here's a screenshot I took of what pops up. I haven't clicked the provided link for fear that it might be a scam and lead me to a site that would actually cause harm to my system.


User uploaded file

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4)

Posted on Apr 21, 2016 12:11 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Apr 21, 2016 12:14 PM

Try http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php


See if that removes it for you. If not, come back here again.

10 replies

Apr 21, 2016 12:56 PM in response to ReginoZ

The way that admonishment reads, it may be applicable for Windows but not Macs. Follow Allan Eckert's advice. Do not be fooled by anyone who may come along telling you not the use that software, They will be doing you a disservice.


That particular software has been recommended by Apple telephone support and is used by Apple store genius bar technicians in preference to Apple support article procedures.


Ciao.

Apr 21, 2016 1:52 PM in response to ReginoZ

That looks like an attempt to imitate the "safe browsing" feature of Safari, but it's not genuine.

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.

Apr 29, 2016 4:40 PM in response to ReginoZ

Be advised that Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac is well known on these forums as well as by Apple personnel. Apple telephone support recommends it and genius bar technicians use in preference to the standard Apple procedures due to it's overall superiority and ease of use. Why anyone may think otherwise would be a mystery to me. A search of the Internet will also disclose many web sites endorsing its use. It can do no harm, it can only help.


Ciao.

Suspected Malware Site Warning

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