How do i get rid of malware on my pc

how do i get rid of malware on my pc, i keep getting redirected on my browsers and ads on my mac. i think its malware

Relaunch your browser in safe mode with extensions and plug-ins disabled, remove and disable any you find.
Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support
Download and run AdwareMedic
http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg/
Make sure your system is current
Apple security updates - Apple Support
The forum for MacBook Pro:
MacBook Pro

Similar Messages

  • How can I get rid of malware flash player

    how can I get rid of malware flash player (May 18,'13)

    How do you know you have malware, and where did you get it?

  • How can I get rid of malware or a virus?

    How can I get rid of malware or a virus?

    Hi .
    Most likely adware or malware.
    Download the AdMedic adware / malware removal tool here >  AdwareMedic
    Easy and only takes a minute or two.

  • How do i get rid of malware on my macbook pro

    I am not computer savvy, I tried to watch NFL live through safari and ultimately came down with a bad case of malware where I am constantly getting pop ups and my internet is extremely slow now. How can I get rid of this malware?

    There is no need to download anything to solve this problem.
    You may have installed one or more of the common types of ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it. It's been reported that some variants of the "VSearch" malware block access to the page. If that happens, start in safe mode by holding down the shift key at the startup chime, then try again.
    Back up all data before making any changes.
    One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.
    If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, ask for further instructions.
    Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. It may have come from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.
    Malware is also found on websites that traffic in pirated content such as video. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.
    In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere  should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.
    Still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked
              Install system data files and security updates (OS X 10.10 or later)
    or
              Download updates automatically (OS X 10.9 or earlier)
    if it's not already checked.

  • How do I get rid of malware entries in my Prefs.js file (stored in my profile folder)?

    I want to get rid of anything that contains the string "claro" in it. Here is part of my prefs.js file that shows what I want to clear:
    \Mozilla\\\\Firefox\\\\Profiles\\\\a6s51y6q.default-1347242978286\\\\extensions\\\\{d10d0bf8-f5b5-c8b4-a8b2-2b9879e08c5d}.xpi\"},\"jid1-LSHV456F7wAw9g@jetpack\":{\"version\":\"1.1\",\"type\":\"extension\",\"descriptor\":\"C:\\\\Users\\\\Clayton\\\\AppData\\\\Roaming\\\\Mozilla\\\\Firefox\\\\Profiles\\\\a6s51y6q.default-1347242978286\\\\extensions\\\\[email protected]\"}}");
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.DataDir", "C:\\Users\\Clayton\\AppData\\Roaming\\Macromedia");
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.LSOcount", 23);
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.donotaskonexit", true);
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.initiated", 3);
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.lastSession", "Sunday, September 09, 2012 10:13:43 PM");
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.removed", 291);
    user_pref("extensions.bprivacy.removedSession", 287);
    user_pref("extensions.claro.admin", false);
    user_pref("extensions.claro.aflt", "babsst");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.autoRvrt", "false");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.dfltLng", "en");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.excTlbr", false);
    user_pref("extensions.claro.id", "72da1096000000000000001fc604ff56");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.instlDay", "15610");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.instlRef", "sst");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.prdct", "claro");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.prtnrId", "claro");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.tlbrId", "claro");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.vrsn", "1.6.4.1");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.vrsni", "1.6.4.1");
    user_pref("extensions.claro_i.newTab", false);
    user_pref("extensions.claro_i.smplGrp", "none");
    user_pref("extensions.claro_i.vrsnTs", "1.6.4.19:51:28");

    Additional info:
    I also found these lines in my user.js file. How do I get rid of them? (They are also the ONLY lines in user.js.)
    (Claro is known malware and these entries were not discovered by the malware "malbytes" program).
    user_pref("extensions.claro.admin", false);
    user_pref("extensions.claro.aflt", "babsst");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.autoRvrt", "false");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.dfltLng", "en");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.excTlbr", false);
    user_pref("extensions.claro.id", "72da1096000000000000001fc604ff56");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.instlDay", "15610");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.instlRef", "sst");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.prdct", "claro");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.prtnrId", "claro");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.tlbrId", "claro");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.vrsn", "1.6.4.1");
    user_pref("extensions.claro.vrsni", "1.6.4.1");
    user_pref("extensions.claro_i.newTab", false);
    user_pref("extensions.claro_i.smplGrp", "none");
    user_pref("extensions.claro_i.vrsnTs", "1.6.4.19:51:28");
    And if that weren't enough, I found a reference to "isearch" in my "search.json" file:
    Files\\Mozilla Firefox\\searchplugins\\amazondotcom.xml"},{"_id":"[app]/avg-secure-search.xml","_name":"AVG Secure Search","_hidden":false,"description":"AVG Secure '''Search","__searchForm":"https://isearch.avg.com/","_iconURL":"data''':image/x-icon,%00%00%01%00%01%00%10%10%00%00%00%00%20%00h%04%00%00%16%00%00%00(%00%00%00%10%00%00%00%20%00%00%00%01%00%20%00%00%00%00%00%40%04%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00%00pn%03%1Fb%83%15%25U%911
    And one to "Babylon" in my search-metadata.json file (also malware) as follows:
    '''"{"[app]/babylon.xml":{"hidden":true,"alias":null},"[app]/yahoo.xml":"'''

  • How do I get rid of malware on my Macbook Air w OS X Yosemite?

    My Macbook Air is infected with malware and I'm getting popup ads all the time. Is there any way to get rid of this problem?

    You may have installed one of the common types of ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it.
    Back up all data before making any changes.
    One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.
    If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, ask for further instructions.
    Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. It may have come from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.
    Malware is also found on websites that traffic in pirated content such as video. If you, or anyone else who uses the computer, visit such sites and follow prompts to install software, you can expect more of the same, and worse, to follow. Never install any software that you downloaded from a bittorrent, or that was downloaded by someone else from an unknown source.
    In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere  should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.
    Still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked
              Install system data files and security updates
    if it's not already checked.

  • How do I get rid of malware/adware signed "ads by info" ?

    I've tried just about every anti-spyware and nothing is getting rid of ads and new tabs opening signed "ads by info". I believe that it goes by the name of superfish sometimes. I successfully removed it from Chrome but Firefox is still screwed.
    Please don't tell me to look through my extensions. It's not there and I'm not a moron.

    If you want to access the Help menu from the menubar, you can by pressing '''Alt''' if the menubar is hidden, or by showing the menubar permanently through your customization screen:
    * Either enter '''about:customizing''' in your address bar, or go to
    * Menu [[Image: New Fx Menu]] > Customize
    At the bottom left of this page should have a "Show/Hide Toolbars" - you can enable the menu bar from there.
    Alternatively, if you right click on an empty space on your toolbar, an option to show the Menu bar (and Bookmarks toolbar) should appear as well.

  • How can I get rid of malware that redirects to a different website than requested, i.e. Price Grabber?

    When I open Firefox, my default browser, another tab opens with shopping "deals" featured. If I search in Google and select from the list of results, I am often redirected to a different shopping channel.
    Somehow this malware has gotten past my always-running virus checker and is not detected by Adaware or Search&Destroy.

    Try running either of these malware scanners, they are considered to be aamongst the best:
    * Malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
    * SuperAntiSpyware - http://www.superantispyware.com
    For particular information on Google re-direct virus see http://deletemalware.blogspot.com/2010/02/remove-google-redirect-virus.html
    Also check to see if an add-on is causing this behavior, for details of how to do that see https://support.mozilla.com/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

  • How do i get rid of malware on my macbook

    If I open my hard drive icon on the desktop, on the left side under "shared" is this: your-4dacd0ea75 and has a little square blue screen next to it. How do I take this off? I appreciate any help.

    Whenever anyone asks for help with Malware on a Mac, the stock answer is "there is no malware on a Mac..." because generally it is the UFO siting of problems on OSX.
    your-4dacd0ea75 IS actual Malware. On a Mac. Congratulations, you have done the nearly impossible.
    your-4dacd0ea75 is actually a big problem for PCs (Google it - it is) and a nagging problem for Mac owners. Posts here in "discussions" as well as elsewhere in cyberspace speak of Repair Permissions as the sure way to make it disappear, but others say it just comes back. Other people recommend ClamXav the free antivirus for Macs, but their Forum makes no mention of your-4dacd0ea75
    If it were myself, I would do an Erase and Install, but most folks here hate that answer. You can do your own Search and trash all references to it. For that I would not use Spotlight, as much as freeware or trialware: EasyFind search tool or FindAnyFile search tool to seek out anyplace the bug may be hideing.
    Perhaps the people who Repaired Permissions failed to erase all cookies & caches. I would look there first. You are in uncharted waters here - try anything you can think of.
    As a rule you are in much LESS trouble that PCs (unless you got this through Boot Camp - did you?)

  • How do I get rid of malware Trovi?

    Trovi has invaded my computer and hijacked my browser home page on Safari, Firefox and Crome. With it comes ads and pop ups that are unwanted. "Help" sites seem to generally refer to PCs (mine is an iMac, intel core i5 and running OS X 10.9.5 and they all want me to download some "cleanup" software. I am loath to download any software for fear of further screwing things up but would like to "uninstall" Trovi. Any suggestions out there? Thanks in advance.
    Peter

    There is no need to download anything to solve this problem.
    You may have installed the "Trovi," "Conduit," or "SearchProtect" ad-injection malware. Follow the instructions on this Apple Support page to remove it.
    Back up all data before making any changes.
    Besides the files listed in the linked support article, you may also need to remove these files in the same way:
    ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/searchplugins/MyBrand.xml
    ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/External Extensions/fjadmdmahkpbhgbmmkiiaanlnlekelmn.json
    ~/Library/Application Support/Mozilla/Extensions/{ec8030f7-c20a-464f-9b0e-13a3a9e97384}/[email protected]
    One of the steps in the article is to remove malicious Safari extensions. Do the equivalent in the Chrome and Firefox browsers, if you use either of those. If Safari crashes on launch, skip that step and come back to it after you've done everything else.
    If you don't find any of the files or extensions listed, or if removing them doesn't stop the ad injection, then you may have one of the other kinds of adware covered by the support article. Follow the rest of the instructions in the article.
    Make sure you don't repeat the mistake that led you to install the malware. Chances are you got it from an Internet cesspit such as "Softonic" or "CNET Download." Never visit either of those sites again. You might also have downloaded it from an ad in a page on some other site. The ad would probably have included a large green button labeled "Download" or "Download Now" in white letters. The button is designed to confuse people who intend to download something else on the same page. If you ever download a file that isn't obviously what you expected, delete it immediately.
    "SearchProtect" may be distributed along with two other applications: "MacKeeper," which is a scam, and "ZipCloud," which, if not actually a scam, has a dubious reputation. Ask if you need instructions to remove those items.
    In the Security & Privacy pane of System Preferences, select the General tab. The radio button marked Anywhere  should not be selected. If it is, click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then select one of the other buttons. After that, don't ignore a warning that you are about to run or install an application from an unknown developer.
    Still in System Preferences, open the App Store or Software Update pane and check the box marked
              Install system data files and security updates
    if it's not already checked.

  • How do I get rid of "Trojan-Gackdoor.Ciadoor.gn" from c:\programfiles\firefox\firefox.exe?

    After scanning the hard drive, Advanced System Optimizer found "Trojan-Backdoor.Ciadoor.gn" in "c:\program files\firefox\firefox.exe". When I launch Firefox, the Optimizer requests me to exclude the trojan from stopping the launch. If I agree to the exclusion, then I need to re-launch Firefox.

    Your best bet would be to visit one of the forums specializing in malware removal listed in the '''How do I get rid of malware?''' section of this article:
    *[[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]]

  • How do I get rid of BrowserDefender.exe, accidently imported with Firefox

    I accidently acquired a malware program BrowserDefender.exe when I downloaded Firefox from the Internet onto my new laptop. All other software loaded by me has been from legal discs, used successfully on our Desktop. My anti-virus software is displaying annoying pop-up messages. I am unable to delete the folders because "one of the files is in use by another program". My ISP tech support people had the same problem.
    the beast resides on my laptop in c:\Programdata\BrowserDefender\

    Your best bet would be to visit one of the forums specializing in malware removal listed in the '''How do I get rid of malware?''' section of this article:
    *[[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]]

  • I was told by comcast that we had a computer in the house with a malware virus, they even said that they were going to terminate our service if we did not get it fixed. Now this week we hear that there is a trojan malware virus, how do we get rid of it?

    I was told by comcast that we had a computer in the house with a malware virus, they even said that they were going to terminate our service if we did not get it fixed. Now this week we hear that there is a trojan malware virus, how do we get rid of it?

    Hello,
    Flashback - Detect and remove the uprising Mac OS X Trojan...
    http://www.mac-and-i.net/2012/04/flashback-detect-and-remove-uprising.html
    In order to avoid detection, the installer will first look for the presence of some antivirus tools and other utilities that might be present on a power user's system, which according to F-Secure include the following:
    /Library/Little Snitch
    /Developer/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/MacOS/Xcode
    /Applications/VirusBarrier X6.app
    /Applications/iAntiVirus/iAntiVirus.app
    /Applications/avast!.app
    /Applications/ClamXav.app
    /Applications/HTTPScoop.app
    /Applications/Packet Peeper.app
    If these tools are found, then the malware deletes itself in an attempt to prevent detection by those who have the means and capability to do so. Many malware programs use this behavior, as was seen in others such as the Tsunami malware bot.
    http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57410096-263/how-to-remove-the-flashback-ma lware-from-os-x/
    http://x704.net/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5844&p=70660#p70660
    Check now whether your Mac is infected by Backdoor.Flashback.39!
    http://public.dev.drweb.com/april/

  • I believe that i have malware on my mac, osx 10.9.4. accordingly, i've tried to run clamxav (on my mac HD) but just get a spinning wheel, then have to shut down. any advice on how to stop spinning wheel or get rid of malware? please help. :-).

    i believe that i have malware (possible highjack of safari browser) on my mac, osx 10.9.4. accordingly, i've tried to run clamxav (on my mac HD) but just get a spinning wheel, then have to shut down. any advice on how to stop spinning wheel or get rid of malware? i have symnatic endpoint and, after scanning, it reveals nothing. please help. :-).

    are locked user files or that have incorrect permission a bad thing?
    Yes.
    why am i removing symantec?
    Short answer: Because it's worse than useless and worse than the imaginary "viruses" you're afraid of would be if they really existed. For the long answer, see below.
    1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
    The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
    OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
    2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
    The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
    The following caveats apply to XProtect:
    ☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
    ☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
    Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
    ☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
    ☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
    ☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
    Apple has so far failed to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. These failures don't involve App Store products, however.
    For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
    4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
    5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, and a technological fix is not going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
    The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the scam artists. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
    Software from an untrustworthy source
    ☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
    ☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software.
    ☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
    ☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
    Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
    ☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
    ☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
    Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
    ☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    ☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
    ☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
    ☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
    ☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
    ☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
    Unexpected events
    ☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
    ☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
    ☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
    ☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
    I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
    6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
    Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
    Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
    Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
    7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
    Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
    ☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
    ☞ Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
    ☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    ☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
    8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
    An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
    Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
    London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
    You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in everyemail attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
    The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
    9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
    10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It's as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

  • I had a pop up which turned out to be a malware virus on my iPad how do I get rid of it

    I had a pop up which turned out to be a malware virus on my iPad how do I get rid of it

    I didn't know you could even get one with an iPad.  Are you sure it installed something?  I see them pop up for my computer occasionally but they will pop up for any computer whether or not they can actually do anything or not.
    I'll let more experienced heads answer this one but they will certainly want to know the name of what it was you saw, unless it really is a case of nothing to worry about.

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