Getting rid of virus?

So whenever I am using either safari or occasionaly google chrome, quite often when i click a link, or something on a webpage, i get 1-4 pop ups appearing at once. I have no idea whats caused it and I believe it's a virus or something.
A constant one is some survey for apparently every site in existence, and others are always like duplicates of each other with pointless advertisements
If anyone knows how i can fix this i would be very grateful

There aren't any know virus affecting OS X. You may have installed adware. See The Safe Mac » Search Results » adware removal and Adware Removal Guide - Genieo.
Helpful Links Regarding Malware Protection
An excellent link to read is Tom Reed's Mac Malware Guide.
Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read Detecting and avoiding malware and spyware.
See these Apple articles:
          Mac OS X Snow Leopard and malware detection
          OS X Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          OS X Mountain Lion- Protect your Mac from malware
          About file quarantine in OS X
If you require anti-virus protection Thomas Reed recommends using Dr.Web Light from the App Store. It's free, and since it's from the App Store, it won't destabilize the system. If you prefer one of the better known commercial products, then Thomas recommends using Sophos.(Thank you to Thomas Reed for these recommendations.) If you already use Sophos, then be aware of this if you are using Mavericks: OS X Mavericks- Sophos Anti-Virus on-access scanner versions 8.0 - 9.1 may cause unexpected restarts
From user Joe Bailey comes this equally useful advice:
The facts are:
1. There is no anti-malware software that can detect 100% of the malware out there.
2. There is no anti-malware that can detect anything targeting the Mac because there
     is no Mac malware in the wild, and therefore, no "signatures" to detect.
3. The very best way to prevent the most attacks is for you as the user to be aware that
     the most successful malware attacks rely on very sophisticated social engineering
     techniques preying on human avarice, ****, and fear.
4. Internet popups saying the FBI, NSA, Microsoft, your ISP has detected malware on
    your computer is intended to entice you to install their malware thinking it is a
    protection against malware.
5. Some of the anti-malware products on the market are worse than the malware
    from which they purport to protect you.
6. Be cautious where you go on the internet.
7. Only download anything from sites you know are safe.
8. Avoid links you receive in email, always be suspicious even if you get something
    you think is from a friend, but you were not expecting.
9. If there is any question in your mind, then assume it is malware.

Similar Messages

  • How do I get rid of viruses on my MAcBook Pro

    How do I get rid of viruses on my MAcBook Pro

    A
    It may not be malware, a Web scam that only affects your browser, and only temporarily. There are several ways to recover.
    1. Some of those scam pages can be dismissed very easily. Press the key combination command-W to close the tab or window. A huge box will pop up. Press the return key and both the box and the page will close. If that doesn't happen, continue.
    2. Press and hold command-W. You may hear repeating alert sounds. While holding the keys, click the OK button in the popup. A different popup may appear, which you can cancel out of as usual.
    3. From the Safari menu bar, select
              Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Security
    and uncheck the box marked Enable JavaScript. Leave the preferences dialog open.
    Close the malicious window or tab.
    Re-enable JavaScript and close the preferences dialog.
    4. If the Preferences menu item is grayed out, quit Safari. Force quit if necessary. Relaunch it by holding down the shift key and clicking its icon in the Dock. None of the windows and tabs will reopen.
    After closing the malicious page, from the menu bar, select
              Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
    to get rid of any cookies or other data left by the server. Open your Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.
    B
    If the above step doesn't solve the 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)
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  • Hi, just wondering how do i get rid of viruses on my mac pro?! as soon as i go on the internet other windows pops up and the whole screen starts to play up, like it starts to click things that i didn't even click?! help please

    hi i was just wondering how do i get rid of viruses?! Everytime i go on safari my computer goes all weird and starts to pop up with other internet sites without me even typing it in. My arrow also starts to click on all things that i didn't even click on and opens up apps that i didn't want?!

    There are several possible causes for this issue. Take each of the following steps that you haven't already tried until it's resolved. Some may not be applicable.
    1. Follow the instructions in this support article, and also this one, if applicable.
    2. Open the Bluetooth preference pane in System Preferences and check for unknown or forgotten input devices. Disconnect any USB input devices that you aren't using.
    3. Boot in safe mode and test, preferably without launching any third-party applications. If you don't have the problem in safe mode, but it comes back when you reboot as usual, stop here and post your results. If you can't boot in safe mode, do the same. If you booted in safe mode and there was no change, go on to the next step.
    4. Reset the System Management Controller.
    5. If you're using a Bluetooth trackpad, investigate potential sources of interference, including USB 3 devices.
    6. A swollen battery in a MacBook Pro or Air can impinge on the trackpad from below and cause erratic behavior. If you have trouble clicking the trackpad, this is likely the reason. The battery must be replaced without delay.
    7. Press down all four corners of the trackpad at once and release. If there's any effect, it's likely to be temporary, and the unit needs to be serviced or replaced.
    8. There's a report that a (possibly defective) Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter can cause the built-in trackpad of a MacBook to  behave erratically. If you're using such an adapter, disconnect it and test.
    9. There's also a report of erratic cursor movements caused by an external display that was connected but not turned on.
    10. If none of the above applies, or if you have another reason to think that your computer is being remotely controlled, remove it from the network by turning off Wi-Fi (or your Wi-Fi access point), disconnecting from a Bluetooth network link, and unplugging the Ethernet cable or USB modem, whichever is applicable. If the cursor movements stop at once, you should suspect an intrusion.
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  • How to I get rid of virus's on my mac book pro?

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      Can you run EtreCheck and post the report here please?
      EtreCheck:  https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6173

  • How do you get rid of viruses on my computer

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    Hi, Josh:
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    The link to the download is below.  Burn the file to a CD and read the otehr info on the link below such as how to use it.
    http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuedisk
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  • How do get rid of viruses

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    No, you don't have one because there are none.
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  • Can't get rid of virus/malware/infection

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    I have all the programs needed for reloading the harddrive.  I purchased all the programs a few years ago.
    I have an HP Pavillion V5000 laptop.  I need to know how to reformat the harddrive and will this get rid of the infections??
    thank you,
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     Hi,
    These files would appear to relate to a Malware infection - the reason the specific DLLs cannot be loaded may well be because your existing security software has already removed them.
    Try the following.
    On another PC, follow the procedure on the link below to create a bootable CD which you can use to scan your computer and hopefully remove the Malware.
    http://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper
    When this has completed, boot into Windows, then download and install the free versions of MBAM and SUPERAntiSpyware on the links below.
    MBAM
    SUPERAntiSpyware
    When installed, run full scans with both these utilities - if any malware is detected, remove/quarantine it and run the scan again until both applications come back clean.
    If the above doesn't help, post back with the following.
    1.  The full Model No. and Product No. of the notebook ( from the service tag underneath your notebook ) - see Here for a further explanation.
    2.  The full version of the operating system you are using ( ie Windows 7 32bit ).
    Regards,
    DP-K
    ****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
    ****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
    ****I don't work for HP****
    Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

  • How to get rid of virus?

    how do i get rid of, what i think is a virus in my iphone when i try to use safari? 

    Everytime I try to open Yahoo page I am stopped by a McDonalds McRib advertsiement which takes over the page spreading sauce etc and I must wipe it off and then click away the add once it is done in order to search.  I did use McD's free wifi the other day while in the restaurant, Could this be where I got it?  Anyways how the heck to I getr rid of it?  Should I restore my phone?  Will this help>  Getting desperate as this is extremely annoying !  Any ideas??? Thx

  • How do I identify get rid of virus/malware/something bad?

    How do I know what has gotten into my computer, and how do I get rid of it?  Got little weird pop-up messages that said if it showed up several more times, it meant my "PC" was infected with a virus.   I tried to close it out and it wouldn't let me.  I tried to Force Quit things, and at some point it threw a bigger window up on the screen, and right on top of that came a photo of a girl in a bikini asking me when I wanted to eff someone. 
    Using Mavericks 10.9.5.   Have just installed and run a Norton anti-virus program, which said I have no viruses.  I realize that isn't the best software around, but it's free from Comcast and the first thing I could do.   I haven't had anything like this happen since I was on a PC
    I was getting close to paying bills online, which clearly isn't the thing to do now.   What are my options as a low-tech user, and what are my official Apple options?  Past Apple Care coverage date.   Tried to call to find options through them, was told there was a long hold time, then got disconnected. 

    If you saw a fake alert that "suspicious activity might have been detected," take Step B. Otherwise, take Step A when needed. In either case, remove the worthless Norton product according to the developer's instructions.
    A
    It's not malware. It's a JavaScript scam that only affects your web browser, and only temporarily. There are several ways to recover.
    1. Some of those scam pages can be dismissed very easily. Press the key combination command-W to close the tab or window. A huge box will pop up. Press the return key and both the box and the page will close. If that doesn't happen, continue.
    2. Press and hold command-W. You may hear repeating alert sounds. While holding the keys, click the OK button in the popup. A different popup may appear, which you can cancel out of as usual.
    3. From the Safari menu bar, select
              Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Security
    and uncheck the box marked Enable JavaScript. Leave the preferences dialog open.
    Close the malicious window or tab.
    Re-enable JavaScript and close the preferences dialog.
    4. If the Preferences menu item is grayed out, quit Safari. Force quit if necessary. Relaunch it by holding down the shift key and clicking its icon in the Dock. None of the windows and tabs will reopen.
    After closing the malicious page, from the menu bar, select
              Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
    to get rid of any cookies or other data left by the server. Open your Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.
    B
    You may have installed the "Downlite" or "VSearch" 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 support article, you may also need to remove this item in the same way:
    ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin
    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.
    The problem may have started when you downloaded and ran an application called "MPlayerX." That's the name of a legitimate free movie player, but the name is also used fraudulently to distribute VSearch. If there is an item with that name in the Applications folder, delete it, and if you wish, replace it with the genuine article from mplayerx.org.
    This malware is often found on illegal websites that traffic in pirated content such as movies. 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 viruses that are on my mac and are slowing my computer down?

    its really slowing up my computer and i have no clue how to get rid of them PLEASE HELP!!!

    There are no viruses.  There is a trojan you would have to download and run from strange websites.  What makes you think the slowdown is due to a virus?  Maybe you could provide some specific evidence.
    Trojan War
    If you discover a trojan program is running on your computer then look to the following information for assistance:
    1. A recent discussion on the Apple Support Communities: MacDefender Trojan.
    2. An excellent site devoted to Mac Malware: Macintosh Virus Guide
    3. Another site for removing MacDefende, et.al.: MAC Defender Rogue Anti-Virus analysis and Removal
    4. A new removal utility - MacDefenderKiller
    5. And to protect against a recent variant, MacGuard.
    Before you delete anything, we need your help. Some AV folks in our community need to analyze these files in order to protect others. Before you delete anything please consider doing the following:   Upload either the original .zip file or the MacGuard application to http://www.VirusTotal.com.  If either is not detected by ClamXAV, then also upload it to http://cgi.clamav.net/sendvirus.cgi.   If you are uncomfortable doing this for any reason and can determine the URL of the site where you got it please send the link to [email protected].
    Removing strange software can be a task.  The following outlines various ways of uninstalling software:
    Uninstalling Software: The Basics
    Most OS X applications are completely self-contained "packages" that can be uninstalled by simply dragging the application to the Trash.  Applications may create preference files that are stored in the /Home/Library/Preferences/ folder.  Although they do nothing once you delete the associated application, they do take up some disk space.  If you want you can look for them in the above location and delete them, too.
    Some applications may install an uninstaller program that can be used to remove the application.  In some cases the uninstaller may be part of the application's installer, and is invoked by clicking on a Customize button that will appear during the install process.
    Some applications may install components in the /Home/Library/Applications Support/ folder.  You can also check there to see if the application has created a folder.  You can also delete the folder that's in the Applications Support folder.  Again, they don't do anything but take up disk space once the application is trashed.
    Some applications may install a Startup item or a Log In item.  Startup items are usually installed in the /Library/StartupItems/ folder and less often in the /Home/Library/StartupItems/ folder.  Log In Items are set in the Accounts preferences.  Open System Preferences, click on the Accounts icon, then click on the LogIn Items tab.  Locate the item in the list for the application you want to remove and click on the Delete [-] button to delete it from the list.
    Some software use startup daemons or agents that are a new feature of the OS.  Look for them in /Library/LaunchAgents/ and /Library/LaunchDaemons/ or in /Home/Library/LaunchAgents/.
    If an application installs any other files the best way to track them down is to do a Finder search using the application name or the developer name as the search term.  Unfortunately Spotlight will not look in certain folders by default.  You can modify Spotlight's behavior or use a third-party search utility, Easy Find, instead.  Download Easy Find at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
    Some applications install a receipt in the /Library/Receipts/ folder.  Usually with the same name as the program or the developer.  The item generally has a ".pkg" extension.  Be sure you also delete this item as some programs use it to determine if it's already installed.
    There are many utilities that can uninstall applications.  Note that you must have this software installed before you install software you may need to uninstall.  Uninstallers won't work if you install them after the fact.  Here is a selection:
    AppZapper
    Automaton
    Hazel
    CleanApp
    Yank
    SuperPop
    Uninstaller
    Spring Cleaning
    Look for them and others at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
    For more information visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on removing software and dealing with spyware and malware.
    After removing all the components of the software you may have to restart the computer to fully disable the software.  This will be the case when removing software that has installed a daemon.  After the daemon has been removed you need to restart the computer to stop the daemon.  Alternatively, you can kill the daemon process using the Terminal application or Activity Monitor.

  • How do I get rid of viruses on my mac?

    Hi,
    I have ran a speed test on my internet connection and it is currently at 0.48, I believe that I may have a virus in my mac. I have had a technician from my provider test the line and the speed on his laptop was 8.45.
    What is the best free program that I can get? Or do I have to fork out money for an antivirus program?
    thanks

    Are you using WI-FI? If you are, option-click on the Airport icon. What is the Transmit Rate showing there?
    To enter new DNS numbers (Sys Prefs>Network>Advanced) click on the + button. You will get a new field in blue, as shown in the screenshot below. Enter one number there, then hit OK. You will be brought back to the main tab. Hit Apply. Go back to Advanced and repeat for the second number, then hit OK. You will be brought back to the main page and hit Apply again. You can reorder the way the numbers appear by dragging them. Not absolutely certain of this, but the numbers first listed will be the DNS servers used first; second will be contacted next. If you put all those numbers in (all three sets), you can then test which servers are the fastest for you by rearranging the list order.
    DNS (Domain Name Server) is like the phone book. It translates names into telephone numbers. You can't dial a name. DNS servers translate site names into numbers. Some servers are better/faster than others.
    Also be sure to turn off IPv6 in TCP/IP
    To check that OpenDNS is working, go to http://www.opendns.com/welcome/
    Message was edited by: WZZZ

  • How to find/get rid of viruses

    I was on Watch32 and my computer started poping inappropriate stuff up and i was having a hard time getting out of everything. Did it put a virus or anything on my computer?

    Much misinformation!
    But try to avoid going to untrusted websites to prevent it, there is a chance of getting malwares/viruses on your Mac.
    As I already said, not at this time. That could change at any time in the future, but right now, this is not the case. The worst that might happen at this time is adware, which is not recognized as malware by most security software, if you download and install the wrong thing.
    If you found that your Mac is running abnormally. You should try to restart your computer or have a system reinstall.
    "Abnormally" is a very broad term. There's a huge number of problems that a simple restart wouldn't do anything to fix. There's also a huge number of problems that a system reinstall would be major overkill for, or even wouldn't do anything to fix it, depending on the problem and how the reinstall was done.
    This advice is much like saying, "If you feel sick, go to sleep or rush to the emergency room."
    There are few kinds of Malware/Viruses in the past for Macs. But all of them are only activated if you download it.
    Again, not true... and, oddly, this seems to contradict the first sentence of your post.
    A significant portion of the Mac malware that has appeared in the last year has utilized vulnerabilities in Java, Flash or Microsoft Office to install itself without the user doing anything. Currently, there are no such vulnerabilities being exploited by any known Mac malware, but if you're talking history, malware does not always require being downloaded and opened by the user manually.
    See my Mac Malware Guide for more accurate information on this topic.

  • How do I get rid of virus.exe showing as a client in airport utility when i check on my airport extreme?

    I checked the names of users connected to my Airport Extreme and found a client with a name of virus.exe. How do i delete it?

    There is no simple easy way.. apple do not put a firewall into the airport.
    You can change the password for wireless and change the admin password of the airport extreme..
    Give out the change of password to no-one.
    If a client needs to join your network check its name.. then you type the password in.
    If virus.exe turns up again.. you have a computer or device where someone is having a bit of fun.. and making the name something to aggravate you.
    I doubt it is really a virus.. as you have already got all the names when you signed in the client.. but track down its MAC address so you know what belongs to what. And can take measures to prevent the issue arising again.

  • I need to know how to get rid of viruses

    Recently my Macbook Pro has been redirecting me to a page where I have to install something called "Lightspark Player Pro". I didn't click on anything, I was just using Google Docs and it keeps taking me to that page. I just force quit safari and reopened it but it keeps taking me to the page. It only does this when I am on certain websites but it happens a lot (I have also installed Firefox, Genio (I keep deleting and and it just magically reappers), and Dropbox). It doesn't do this on Firefox though. I really need to fix this, I have searched through the forums and avoided everything that people say has viruses, like Mackeeper, but still I haven't found anything that clears my viruses. Are there certain websites I should avoid? Things I shouldn't download? Everything helps. I can always rely on you guys to help solve my problems very fast.

    Remove Install Mac / Genieo/ Bing from Safari search
    http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-genieo/
    Am I infected?
    http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg-infected/
    http://www.thesafemac.com/mmg/

  • What is the best way to get rid of troyan virus and safari virus?

    what is the best way to get rid of viruses on my macbook?  the viruses are causing popups and saying that the device is infected.

    ds store wrote:
    ClamXav is only a scanner, it can't remove the MacDefender malware.
    Yes, it can. ClamXav scans and quarantines it. It was updated.
    http://www.reedcorner.net/news.php/?p=98
    17" 2.2GHz i7 Quad-Core MacBook Pro  8G RAM  750G HD + OCZ Vertex 3 SSD Boot HD 

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