Safari does not now open the website of 'The Guardian' newspaper

Thanks, Eric Root. I had already checked with my son in NY: he told me that the Guardian site works for him there in Safari by reverting to the US version of the site.

I should stress that this problem is new — probably since I updated to macOS 10.12.3 — and I have not noticed problems with sites other than the Guardian one.

Anyway, here is the EtreCheck report:

EtreCheck version: 3.1.5 (343)

Report generated 2017-02-06 17:34:50

Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

Runtime 2:02

Performance: Excellent

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

Click the [Remove] links to remove adware.

Problem: Other problem

Description:

Safari does not open awebsite

Hardware Information:ⓘ

Mac mini (Late 2012)

[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

Mac mini - model: Macmini6,1

1 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 (i5-3210M) CPU: 2-core

4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

BANK 0/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

2 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

Video Information:ⓘ

Intel HD Graphics 4000

DELL P1913S 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz

System Software:ⓘ

macOS Sierra 10.12.3 (16D32) - Time since boot: about 3 hours

Disk Information:ⓘ

CT480BX200SSD1 disk0 : (480.1 GB) (Solid State - TRIM: No)

[Show SMART report]

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 479.24 GB (297.55 GB free)

Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

USB Information:ⓘ

Apple, Inc. IR Receiver

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

Apple, Inc. Keyboard Hub

Mitsumi Electric Apple Optical USB Mouse

Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard

Firewire Information:ⓘ

LaCie d2 DVDRW FW/USB 400mbit - 400mbit max

Thunderbolt Information:ⓘ

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

Gatekeeper:ⓘ

Mac App Store and identified developers

Adware:ⓘ

/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.MacUpdater.agent.plist

~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.sourcesoftwarehub.AppTech.plist

2 adware files found. [Remove]

Kernel Extensions:ⓘ

/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (12.1.1 41491 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-11-28) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.netbridge (12.1.1 41491 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-11-28) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (12.1.1 41491 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-11-28) [Support]

[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.vnic (12.1.1 41491 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-11-28) [Support]

/Applications/Toast 9 Titanium/Toast Titanium.app

[not loaded] com.roxio.BluRaySupport (1.1.6 - 2017-01-21) [Support]

/Applications/Utilities/DiskWarrior.app

[not loaded] com.alsoft.Preview (4.4 - 2011-09-23) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions

[not loaded] com.Ondesoft.driver.OndeAudioRecorderDevice (1.0.0 - OS X 10.7 - 2017-01-24) [Support]

[not loaded] com.palm.ClassicNotSeizeDriver (3.2.1 - 2017-01-24) [Support]

~/Library/Services/ToastIt.service/Contents/MacOS

[not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0 - 2016-11-23) [Support]

System Launch Agents:ⓘ

[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks

[loaded] 172 Apple tasks

[running] 101 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[not loaded] 38 Apple tasks

[loaded] 172 Apple tasks

[running] 101 Apple tasks

Launch Agents:ⓘ

[loaded] com.acronis.acep.plist (2015-11-13) [Support]

[not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-11-10) [Support]

[failed] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist (2016-11-10) [Support] - /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Creative Cloud/ACC/Creative Cloud.app/Contents/MacOS/Creative Cloud: Executable not found!

[running] com.arcsoft.esinter.plist (2013-05-30) [Support]

[running] com.epson.Epson_Low_Ink_Reminder.launcher.plist (2015-12-20) [Support]

[running] com.epson.ecrp.launcher.plist (2014-12-20) [Support]

[loaded] com.epson.esua.launcher.plist (2016-12-30) [Support]

[running] com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist (2017-01-09) [Support]

[loaded] com.epson.ews.launcher.plist (2014-12-20) [Support]

[failed] com.epson.scannermonitor.plist (2017-01-09) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2017-01-14) [Support]

[not loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist (2016-05-05) [Support]

Launch Daemons:ⓘ

[failed] com.MacUpdater.agent.plist (2016-11-15) Adware! [Remove]

[loaded] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (2013-06-14) [Support]

[running] com.adobe.adobeupdatedaemon.plist (2016-11-10) [Support]

[running] com.adobe.agsservice.plist (2017-01-27) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-12-16) [Support]

[running] com.arcsoft.eservutil.plist (2013-05-30) [Support]

[running] com.bombich.ccchelper.plist (2016-10-01) [Support]

[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2017-01-24) [Support]

[failed] com.informer.mac.daemon.plist (2013-07-01) [Support] - /usr/libexec/MIDaemon: Executable not found!

[running] com.insynchq.insync.daemon.plist (2017-01-04) [Support]

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist (2014-12-20) [Support]

[loaded] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Agent.plist (2015-05-19) [Support]

[loaded] com.malwarebytes.HelperTool.plist (2016-11-15) [Support]

[running] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist (2016-12-15) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2015-04-23) [Support]

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (2015-08-15) [Support]

[not loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist (2014-01-29) [Support]

[loaded] com.ovh.hubiCFinderPlugin.Installer.plist (2016-07-23) [Support]

[loaded] com.rogueamoeba.instanton-agent.plist (2016-07-07) [Support]

[loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist (2016-05-05) [Support]

[loaded] uk.co.canimaansoftware.ClamXavHelper.plist (2016-09-29) [Support]

[loaded] uk.co.canimaansoftware.ClamXavHelperUpdater.plist (2016-07-12) [Support]

User Launch Agents:ⓘ

[running] com.acronis.monitor.plist (2017-01-26) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2016-11-10) [Support]

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2016-10-22) [Support]

[failed] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist (2014-01-02) [Support] - /Applications/Amazon Cloud Player.app/Contents/MacOS/Amazon Music Helper: Executable not found!

[running] com.amazon.music.plist (2015-07-31) [Support]

[loaded] com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXCardDAVSource.34A166CB-A1A7-4B36-BFB7-D6D E5C5EFD68.plist (2017-01-24)

[loaded] com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXCardDAVSource.A402F2DD-4D90-4351-8655-61E 1120B00A7.plist (2017-01-24)

[loaded] com.apple.AddressBook.ScheduledSync.PHXCardDAVSource.FC6B64BD-AEAF-40BD-AFE3-680 B308B1E8F.plist (2017-01-24)

[failed] com.macpaw.CleanMyMac3.Scheduler.plist (2016-12-10)

[failed] com.sourcesoftwarehub.AppTech.plist (2016-07-16) Adware! [Remove]

[failed] com.vemedio.Snowtape.RadioAgent.plist (2015-08-19) [Support] - /Applications/Snowtape.app/Contents/MacOS/RadioAgent: Executable not found!

[loaded] uk.co.canimaansoftware.clamxav.UninstallWatcher.plist (2016-12-10)

User Login Items:ⓘ

NeoFinder Global QuickFind Application

(/Applications/NeoFinder.app/Contents/Resources/NeoFinder Global QuickFind.app)

CopyPaste Pro Application

(/Applications/CopyPaste Pro.app)

Flux Application

(/Applications/Flux.app)

Isolator Application

(/Applications/Isolator.app)

Typinator Application

(/Applications/Typinator.app)

WeatherMan Application

(/Applications/WeatherMan.app)

CCC User Agent Application (2016-09-22)

(/Applications/Carbon Copy Cloner.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/CCC User Agent.app)

Dropbox Application

(/Applications/Dropbox.app)

Insync Application

(/Applications/Insync.app)

Stickies Application

(/Applications/Stickies.app)

PopChar Application

(/Applications/PopChar.app)

Launch Nikon Message Center 2 Application

(/Applications/Nikon Software/Nikon Message Center 2/Nikon Message Center 2.app/Contents/SharedSupport/Launch Nikon Message Center 2.app)

Audio Hijack 3 Schedule Helper Application Hidden

(/Library/Application Support/Audio Hijack/Audio Hijack 3 Schedule Helper.app)

Parallels Toolbox Application

(/Applications/Parallels Toolbox.app)

MoonMenu Application

(/Applications/MoonMenu.app)

Internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

JavaAppletPlugin: 15.0.1 - SDK 10.7 (2016-10-01) Check version

o1dbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]

OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.3.6 (2013-04-24) [Support]

AdobeExManDetect: AdobeExManDetect 1.1.0.0 - SDK 10.7 (2015-09-11) [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 3.3.7.2 - SDK 10.7 (2015-10-30) [Support]

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101750: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 (2013-05-09) [Support]

AdobeAAMDetect: 3.0.0.0 - SDK 10.9 (2016-11-10) [Support]

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 11.0.18 - SDK 10.6 (2016-10-22) [Support]

FlashPlayer-10.6: 24.0.0.194 - SDK 10.9 (2017-01-10) [Support]

AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin101749: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 - SDK 10.4 (2013-04-28) [Support]

QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2016-12-13)

Flash Player: 24.0.0.194 - SDK 10.9 (2017-01-10) [Support]

googletalkbrowserplugin: 5.41.3.0 - SDK 10.8 (2015-12-11) [Support]

SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.7.1 - SDK 10.6 (2016-12-15) [Support]

AdobePDFViewer: 11.0.18 - SDK 10.6 (2016-10-22) [Support]

GarminGpsControl: 4.2.0.0 - SDK 10.8 (2014-03-31) [Support]

Silverlight: 5.1.41212.0 - SDK 10.6 (2016-01-17) [Support]

Scorch: Unknown - SDK 10.2 (2014-11-06) [Support]

DirectorShockwave: 12.0.5r146 - SDK 10.6 (2013-10-24) [Support]

User internet Plug-ins:ⓘ

RealPlayer Plugin: Unknown (2013-04-29) [Support]

Picasa: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 (2015-08-26) [Support]

Google Earth Web Plug-in: 7.1 (2016-07-04) [Support]

Safari Extensions:ⓘ

Open in Internet Explorer - Parallels - http://www.parallels.com (2016-11-28)

BestGuess - Alexandru Ionita - http://www.cloud-extensions.com (2016-03-19)

Boomerang for Gmail - Baydin - http://www.boomeranggmail.com (2014-12-17)

InternetAssistant - Cosmina Beteringhe - http://www.sourcesoftwarehub.com (2016-07-16)

iTube Studio - iSkysoft Studio - http://www.iskysoft.com (2016-03-04)

Adblock Plus - Eyeo GmbH - https://adblockplus.org/ (2016-12-21)

3rd Party Preference Panes:ⓘ

Flash Player (2016-12-16) [Support]

Flip4Mac WMV (2015-10-30) [Support]

Paragon NTFS for Mac ® OS X (2015-09-04) [Support]

Time Machine:ⓘ

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 479.24 GB Disk used: 181.69 GB

Destinations:

Backup [Local]

Total size: 500.10 GB

Total number of backups: 10

Oldest backup: 07/08/2016, 16:22

Last backup: 24/01/2017, 09:25

Size of backup disk: Too small

Backup size 500.10 GB < (Disk used 181.69 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU:ⓘ

5% WindowServer

4% kernel_task

1% fontd

1% com.apple.AmbientDisplayAgent

1% mdworker(11)

Top Processes by Memory:ⓘ

659 MB kernel_task

336 MB mdworker(11)

143 MB Finder

111 MB WindowServer

98 MB Dropbox

Virtual Memory Information:ⓘ

1.54 GB Available RAM

593 MB Free RAM

2.46 GB Used RAM

982 MB Cached files

239 MB Swap Used

Diagnostics Information:ⓘ

Feb 6, 2017, 02:23:05 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Insync_2017-02-06-142305_[redacted].cpu_resourc e.diag [Details]

/Applications/Insync.app/Contents/MacOS/Insync

Feb 6, 2017, 02:20:24 PM Self test - passed

Feb 6, 2017, 11:24:51 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Insync_2017-02-06-112451_[redacted].cpu_resourc e.diag [Details]

Feb 4, 2017, 09:22:04 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Insync_2017-02-04-212204_[redacted].cpu_resourc e.diag [Details]

Feb 4, 2017, 06:04:08 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/PopChar_2017-02-04-180408_[redacted].crash

com.macility.popchar3 - /Applications/PopChar.app/Contents/MacOS/PopChar

Feb 4, 2017, 11:46:16 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Insync_2017-02-04-114616_[redacted].cpu_resourc e.diag [Details]

May i add a little more information?

I have checked a number of other newspaper websites — UK ones and others — in Safari. They all work except the Guardian one.

If I try to open guardian.co.uk, instead of opening, it switches to theguardian.com and then throws up the same error message about being unable to make a secure connection.

Thanks very much, Eric Root.

I regularly use MalWareBytes, and used it again today as you have suggested, but it did not find any malware.

I had deleted first v.2 and then v.3 of CleanMyMac ages ago, but a few of their bits and pieces remained, so today I used 'Find Any File' to locate and trash them. Six of them remained and could not be trashed, even after dragging them to the desktop:

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.plist

com.macpaw.CleanMyMac2.Agent.socket

and the same three for CleanMyMac3. I also tried using EasyFind, with the same result.

This did not solve the problem.

So I went to Safari/Preferences/Privacy and deleted all cookies, caches, etc. — and that did the trick!

Thank you again.

I'm really sorry to use so much of your time on this, Eric Root, but very grateful for your help.

I ran Etrecheck again and successfully removed those two adware files.

Using Find Any File, I moved four of the six CleanMyMac files to the desktop. The two 'socket' files could not be moved, but they appear to be of zero file-size.

I then restarted the computer, moved the four files on the desktop to the trash and emptied the trash. I used Find Any File again to check what was left, and all the six — six, not just the two 'socket' files — are back again!

If you're following this saga, illybilly5, you'll have seen (down near the bottom of this string of posts) that my Safari problem with the Guardian on my Mac turned out to be due to something amongst the stored caches and cookies. Once I had cleared all that out (Safari/Preferences/Privacy), I could open the Guardian.

As far as my iPhone SE is concerned, I never had a problem there.

I don't think it will have anything to do with an iOS update. In my case I'm not having any of this trouble with Safari on my iphone (iOS 10.2.1), only on my Mac (macOS 10.12.3).

Glad it worked for you, too, illybilly5.