Virus and advice on how to get rid of it please

Question

Virus and advice on how to get rid of it please

Hi,

My boyfriend played some 'free' game on my MacBook Air and the system started to scream an alert that their was a virus. Ever since my Mac has been playing up. I keep getting pop up messages say gin 'alert, error 5014 you're Mac is being used from two locations and your bank details are being .....'. I also keep getting forwarded onto new websites if I go into safari, sometimes asking me to download MacScan but other times just random sites.

I've gone into my applications and can't find anything to uninstall. I've deleted downloads and emptied trash and have dated any added extensions in safari. Can anyone offer me any other advice?

Thank you

Posted on Sep 10, 2016 9:25 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Sep 10, 2016 9:33 AM in response to katiewhitleybay

Unless you previously install the infected Transmission torrent client there are no current viruses.

Sounds like you have adware installed. It is not unusually for some download site to include adware with legitiment downloads.

To look for and uninstall adware:

First try

How to install (Really remove) adware

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7471

Stop pop-up ads and adware in Safari

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203987

Adware Removal Guide : Identification

http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-identification/

Next if necessary:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac

https://www.malwarebytes.com/antimalware/mac/

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download/

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Sep 10, 2016 6:59 PM in response to katiewhitleybay

katiewhitleybay wrote:

I also keep getting forwarded onto new websites if I go into safari, sometimes asking me to download MacScan

MacScan, or MacKeeper? If it's MacScan, that's new and interesting behavior, and I'd be interested to get more information.

If you end up downloading Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac, according to the instructions posted by lllaass, I'd be very interested to hear what it finds. If it doesn't find anything, I'd be interested to see why not. Either way, if you're interested in sharing that info or if you need additional help, you can choose Contact Support from the Help menu in Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac and mention my name in the problem description so I'll see it.

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Answer 3

Sep 13, 2016 9:33 AM in response to thomas_r.

Think it's MacKeeper but keeps asking me to scan! I've followed the instructions to block pop-ups, will see what happens. Thank you for responding Thomas

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Answer 4

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Sep 13, 2016 10:05 AM in response to katiewhitleybay

If you actually have MacKeeper installed, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac will remove it for you, as well as anything else that might have gotten installed alongside it.

If you're just seeing pop-up MacKeeper ads on one or more specific websites, it's probably normal advertising for those sites.

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Answer 5

nptacek

Level 1

4 points

Sep 16, 2016 5:26 PM in response to thomas_r.

thomas_r. wrote:

MacScan, or MacKeeper? If it's MacScan, that's new and interesting behavior, and I'd be interested to get more information.

It's definitely not MacScan.

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Answer 6

ChitlinsCC

Level 7

21,152 points

Sep 16, 2016 5:57 PM in response to katiewhitleybay

thomas_r.

said:

If you're just seeing pop-up MacKeeper ads on one or more specific websites, it's probably normal advertising for those sites.

I find all those popOVER/UNDERs to be very annoying - normal or not!

To combat them, I use Firefox browser with an add-on that "kills" them before they can display > P.U.K a rude PopUp/Under Killer :: Add-ons for Firefox - very effective & has a "list" that you can add to as needed

I have not seen a MacKeeper ad in a couple of years (knock on wood)

stevejobsfan0123 & Friends have an add-on that reportedly helps (I have not tested) > Safari - ScamZapper - Apple Club

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