How to get rid of adware/spyware?

My computer is running very slow. I believe I may have been infected with adware/spyware and unsure how to get rid of it.

Hi, first try this...
Bootup holding CMD+r, or the Option/alt key to boot from the Restore partition & use Disk Utility from there to Repair the Disk, then Repair Permissions.
Then...
Open Console in Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when this happens.
Also...
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or some USB or Firewire device, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts (Users & Groups in later OSX versions)>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed. Or an errant process eating up RAM.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

Similar Messages

How to get rid of Adware

When I use Safari for internet browsing it is infested with adware. Every time something is clicked tabs popup with painful promotions such as adcash, Mckeeper and video players etc. How do I stop this.? Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem.
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 to get rid of adware/malware? It turned into a nightmare.

Hi everyone,
This is my first post here so I hope I am posting on the right place. So basically I am using a Macbook Pro with Retina Display (13 inch) and it was bought on September 2014. This is all I know about my laptop as I really don't understand from softwares or anything of that kind (I do not even know what IOS means, sorry!) and I cannot look at any of the information because it was a gift from my father who lives in another country!
Now, the problem is that I do not know whatever happened, as I do not download anything to my laptop other than university slides and lecture notes. But since yesterday, almost whenever I click on a legit website, the website is replaced by this weight loss advertisement (or malware, I do not know the word to use as I have just learnt about these terms while looking for a solution to my problem) within a few seconds. This is a nightmare, and I am really really happy at least it did not happen on this website.
Do you know what I should do? Sorry I can't provide any information as I don't know anything about technology myself.
Any help is greatly appreciated, thank you very much!

Click here and follow the instructions, or if they don't cover the type of adware on the computer, these ones. If you're willing to use a tool to remove it(you don't need to, but may find it easier), you can instead run Adware Medic; this link is a direct download.
(119848)

How to get rid of adware on my mac?

When on line with Safari or Chrome I am plagued by intrusive pop up tabs!

There is no need to download anything to solve this problem. You may have installed a variant of the "VSearch" ad-injection malware.
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/LaunchDaemons
In the Finder, select
          Go ▹ Go to Folder...
from the menu bar and paste into the box that opens by pressing command-V. You won't see what you pasted because a line break is included. Press return.
A folder named "LaunchDaemons" may open. Look inside it for a file with a name of the form
          com.something.daemon.plist
Here something is a variable word, which can be different in each case. It could be "cloud," "dot," "highway," "submarine," "trusteddownloads," or pretty much anything else.
There may also be a file named
           com.something.helper.plist
in the same folder.
Leave the LaunchDaemons folder open, and open the following folder in the same way:
/Library/LaunchAgents
In this folder, there may be a file named
          com.something.agent.plist
where the word something is exactly the same as before.
If you feel confident that you've identified these three files, back up all data, then drag the three files you found to the Trash. You may be prompted for your administrator login password. Close the windows and restart the computer.
Don't delete the "LaunchAgents" or "LaunchDaemons" folder or anything else inside either one.
The malware is now permanently inactivated, as long as you never reinstall it. You can stop here if you like, or you can remove two remaining components for the sake of completeness.
Open this folder:
/Library/Application Support
If it has a subfolder named just
           something
(where something is the same word as before), drag that subfolder to the Trash and close the window.
Don't delete the "Application Support" folder or anything else inside it.
Finally, in this folder:
/System/Library/Frameworks
there may an item named exactly
            v.framework
It's actually another folder, though it has a different icon. Drag it to the Trash and close the window.
Don't delete the "Frameworks" folder or anything else inside it.
If you didn't find the files or you're not sure about the identification, post what you found.
If in doubt, or if you have no backups, change nothing at all.
The trouble 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 trojan 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.
Then, 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 to get rid of pop-ups and adware

how to get rid of pop-ups for media downloader, flash player, tech support

Click here and follow the instructions, or if there’s a type of adware not covered by them on the computer, these ones. If you're willing to use a tool to remove it(you don't need to, but may find it easier), you can instead run Adware Medic; this link is a direct download.
(120252)

How to get rid of Safari !!!!!

I must have missed the message to install Safari during one of the many iTunes updates and now I'm stuck with it on my computer taking up 60GB of space! I've tried removing it through Control Panel -> Uninstall Programs, but get the message that I don't have administrator privilages - which I do. Thinking I may have had this installed while I was logged in under my main administrator name, I logged off and logged back in under my only other user name and tried again - same message. So I went to the Safari folder and changed all security privilages to full access for both accounts and it still won't uninstall. How can this program claim I don't have administrator privilages when I used the only two user accounts on my computer?? So in a fit of defiance and desperation, I deleted the Safari folder and then ran the name "safari" in Vista's search box under the Start menu (I even included the wildcard .* to catch all examples). Guess what? Rather than find all traces of safari on my computer so I could delete them manually, Safari started running again!! I cancelled the program before it finished loading and went to recheck the Program Files folder and Safari was back there with a full 60GB of files again! I CAN'T GET RID OF IT!!
Safari is a malicious software program as bad as any Malware or Adware I have ever seen! How can I get rid of it??
(and no, I really do not want Safari - I don't care if you think its the greatest thing since sliced bread - I make the choices on my computer, not some software engineer or marketing division and I DON'T WANT SAFARI!!)
Any suggestions on how to get rid of it? Did I miss something?
Thanks all,
LH

The Safari update is not clear what it is and provided no explanation of what it was - it simply states "Safari". For all I know it could have been an indexing file for iTunes. There was no explanation as to what is was and the install checkbox was already checked so the unsuspecting may quickly and accidentaly hit install along with the iTunes update, thinking it was a required part of iTunes. Regardless of how it got there, I'm trying to get rid of it and it won't uninstall.
Now you may fancy yourself as some kind of wunderkind software expert, but you apparently do not know Vista because it really does take up 60 GB and every time I delete it, it tries to reinstall itself. These are not multiple installations and I am the only user on this computer. You haven't offered me any help - only insults. If you aren't willing or able to offer help or assistance in the most sincerest form this request was intended, than stay out of this thread. Your actions and insults reinforce the prevailing belief that Apple users are unkind, rude, self-important snobs.

How to get rid of the blue underline with green arrows on words and then a pop-up ad appears.

How to get rid of the blue underline with green arrows on words and then a pop-up ad appears.

Click here and follow the instructions, or if they don't cover the type of adware on the computer, these ones. If you're willing to use a tool to remove it(you don't need to, but may find it easier), you can instead run Adware Medic; this link is a direct download.
(119795)

How to get rid of the pup up ads

How to get rid of the pup up ads??

1. Use the free AdwareMedic by clicking “Download ” from here
     http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
   Install , open, and run it by clicking “Scan for Adware” button   to remove adware.
   Once adware is removed, quit the app by clicking AdwareMedic in the menubar
    and selecting “Quit AdwareMedic”.
Safari
2. Safari > Preferences > Extensions
    Turn those off one by one and relaunch Safari again to test.

Hi, I have this green mark (with pointing arrow looks like a link) on some words show on my window screen when I open a web page, I wonder if it is a virus link or such. Need help how to get rid of it. Thanks

Hi, I have this green mark (with pointing arrow looks like a link) on some words show on my window screen when I open a web page, I wonder if it is a virus link or such. Need help how to get rid of it. Here's the example:
WING
GAMES
MAJORITY
Thanks

If the third link you posted (the link containing the word "majority") does not look like the following then you inadvertently installed adware.
That particular page should resemble the following:
The word "majority" in the third paragraph should not be a link and should not have the green icon associated with it.
To learn how this may have occurred, and how to prevent it from occurring in the future, read How to install adware
Most so-called "news" websites are nothing more than entertainment outlets that cater to prurient interests, and contain advertisements that leave the user about three clicks away from installing junk. If you decide to frequent those websites, Safari's "Reader" feature helps minimize that exposure.
Try it:

Henever I am in Mozilla I get a pop up saying my PC has 7 window errors and can run faster. I cannot see how to get rid of this.

I tried to download Tetris yesterday onto my laptop - not quite what you would call an ambitious gamer!
As it was doing so I noticed that the software was trying to alter some settings in the registry.
Now whenever I am in Mozilla I get a pop up saying my PC has 7 window errors and can run faster. I cannot see how to get rid of this.
When I copy the link location it says:
https://secure-ams.adnxs.com/click?KGIRww5jtj8oYhHDDmO2PwAAAICXbtI_KGIRww5jtj8oYhHDDmO2Py8cBrFeTaRkUe4MK_5ewBbHVyJRAAAAAMypEAA_AQAAPwEAAAIAAAAwB0YA6-ECAAAAAQBVU0QAVVNEACwB-gDulQAA42kAAQMCAQUAAIQARiCzrAAAAAA./cnd=%21ngVsMQjTqzoQsI6YAhjrwwsgBA../referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2F/clickenc=http%3A%2F%2Fappround.net%2Fpcperformer%2Fst6%2Fpcperformer-st6.php%3Fcid%3D3902%26tid%3Dams1CNHcs9ji35fgFhACGK-4mIjrq5PSZCIOMjEzLjc4LjE0NC4yMTQoAQ..
and here is the image
Any ideas?

Such a pop-up is likely caused by malware installed on your computer.
Do a malware check with some malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. 
You need to scan with all programs because each program detects different malware.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
*Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
*SuperAntispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
*Microsoft Safety Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
*Windows Defender: Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
*Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
*Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
*http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/solutions?qid=208280684
See also:
*"Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked

I keep getting a community toolbar error message. I am running Yosemite. I have no idea what it is referring to. Any help on how to get rid of it?

I am getting a community toolbar error message on Safari. Does anyone know how to get rid of it? I am running Yosemite. Thank you!

To remove the "Conduit" spyware, take the steps below.
Triple-click the line below on this page to select it:
~/Library/Application Support/Conduit
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard by pressing the key combination command-C. From the Finder menu bar, select
          Go ▹ Go to Folder…
Paste into the box that opens (command-V), then press return. A Finder window should open with a folder named "Conduit" selected. If it does, delete the selected item.
Repeat with these lines:
~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin /Applications/Toolbars
You may be prompted for your login password. Next, copy this line:
/Library
Select Go to Folder… again and paste. Don't delete the Library folder. Delete only the following items inside it, if they exist.
          Application Support/Conduit
          InputManagers/CTLoader
          LaunchAgents/com.conduit.loader.agent.plist
          ScriptingAdditions/ct_scripting.osax
Close the Finder windows you opened. Log out and log back in.
From the Safari menu bar, select
          Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Extensions
Remove any extensions with the word "Conduit" in the description, and any others you don't know you need. If in doubt, remove all of them.

How to get rid of a Digeste.dll error

Does anyone know how to get rid of a digeste.dll error that is in my C:\window\system32 safely
Thanks
Bob
Solved!
Go to Solution.

lordkirivos, in the future, please research a question before you provide a possibly incorrect answer. In this case, digeste.dll is related to spyware, so your answer makes absolutely no sense, and is not at all helpful.
@OP - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=digeste.dll&aq=f&oq=

How to get rid of malware on Mac Pro

I have a Mac Pro with the OS X Yosemite. My computer has malware on it. I keep getting popups and ads on my screen, whether I'm using Safari or Chrome. One of the popups says "Suspicious activity found on your computer, due to pop-up advertisement windows and invasive links. Please contact tech support at 1-866-215-6348." I want to know how to get rid of this malware. Thanks in advance.

Some are persistent. Force quit Safari again. Disconnect from the Internet by either turning off Wi-Fi in the System Preferences, or unplugging the Ethernet cable from your router/modem. Hold the Shift key and launch Safari again. If the same popup appears, you will be able to dismiss it and navigate away from the page, or close its tab. Reconnect to the Internet.
Though reading your initial post again, it's sounding more like JimmyCMPIT is correct since you're seeing ads in multiple browsers. It's just rare for one the ads that pops up to be like one of the tech support scams.
In which case, you can either follow Apple's manual instructions for removing adware, or use the free automated tool, AdwareMedic (as mentioned by, and linked to by Jimmy).
It should be noted that Apple's manual removal instructions are typically outdated. Sometimes a lot outdated. It depends on when Apple last updated their instructions page. If you would prefer to manually remove the adware on your system, you can find much more up-to-date instructions on The Safe Mac's adware removal page.

How to get rid of adds tht come when i browse

how to get rid of adds that come when i browse

Start Firefox in [[Safe Mode|Safe Mode]] to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).
*Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window.
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
Do a malware check with some malware scanning programs on the Windows computer. 
Please scan with all programs because each program detects different malware. 
All these programs have free versions.
Make sure that you update each program to get the latest version of their databases before doing a scan.
*Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
*AdwCleaner: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Removal-Tools/AdwCleaner.shtml
*SuperAntispyware: http://www.superantispyware.com/
*Microsoft Safety Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx
*Windows Defender: Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
*Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
*Kasperky Free Security Scan: http://www.kaspersky.com/security-scan
You can also do a check for a rootkit infection with TDSSKiller.
*Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller: http://support.kaspersky.com/5350?el=88446
See also:
*"Spyware on Windows": http://kb.mozillazine.org/Popups_not_blocked

When opening safari , i get a yahoo page. why ? and how to get rid of it?

when opening safari , i get a yahoo page. why ? and how to get rid of it?

Check the links below for options to remove the Adware
http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php
Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support
You may need to force quit Safari, the. Reopen Safari while holding the Shift key.

How to get rid of adware/spyware?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for