virus help please!

schroederbear · Jan 4, 2011

I'm fairly certain my poor Macbook has a virus. When I am surfing the web, sometimes a random new window will appear [though not as the default window, so I don't always see it right away] and I cannot click on any links in Google, as it will redirect me to random pages in new tabs.
These random windows and tabs are not vulgar or offensive, but only supremely annoying. I have tried downloading and using Firefox, but the same problems persist, so I really think it's a virus on my computer somewhere. I am in college and I often let others use my computer, so I really have no idea how this could have happened.
Is there any way to purge this evil from my Mac? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

iggibar · Jan 4, 2011

Maybe it's the websites you are visiting?! Just because you get new pop-ups, doesn't mean you have a virus.

Spang · Jan 4, 2011

I would suggest installing the Firefox add-on Adblock Plus. Then give Firefox another spin around the block and see what happens.

schroederbear · Jan 4, 2011

Maybe, but it seems to be any and all. Even navigating around this site I got one. And if it isn't a virus, I would still like to stop it. Is there any way to stop plain old pop-ups? Truly, and advice would help!

schroederbear · Jan 4, 2011

Spang said:
I would suggest installing the Firefox add-on Adblock Plus. Then give Firefox another spin around the block and see what happens.

Thanks for the tip! It seems that Google is still out of commission, but I will see with time if the pop-ups stop.

bobtomay · Jan 4, 2011

Note: Moved to a more appropriate forum. Not just "anything" goes in "Anything Goes".

chas_m · Jan 4, 2011

There aren't any viruses for the Mac, so NO you don't have a virus.

To paraphrase someone else's signature: "A virus is NOT the same thing as 'a problem I don't understand.'"

schroederbear · Jan 4, 2011

chas_m said:
There aren't any viruses for the Mac, so NO you don't have a virus.

To paraphrase someone else's signature: "A virus is NOT the same thing as 'a problem I don't understand.'"

Well that's great to hear, but it doesn't help me get rid of my problem. Regardless of what the problem is, do you have any advice?

wavinwayne · Jan 4, 2011

A trojan or some type of malware perhaps? Will the free Mac AV program(s) find and remove these?

toMACsh · Jan 4, 2011

chas_m said:
To paraphrase someone else's signature: "A virus is NOT the same thing as 'a computer problem I don't understand.'"

Fixed that for ya.

schroederbear said:
When I am surfing the web, sometimes a random new window will appear [though not as the default window, so I don't always see it right away] and I cannot click on any links in Google, as it will redirect me to random pages in new tabs.

So what is in these windows? Just advertisements?

Try Safari > Reset Safari... but don't clear your passwords. (leave that unchecked)

james515 · Jan 4, 2011

it very well could be malware, security researchers have stated that malware attacks will target All apple products in 2011, as well as android devices and several others. The attacks will be stronger and more wide spread in the very near future.

use your favorite search engine to search for this info yourself

osxx · Jan 4, 2011

If a virus does rear its head for the Mac's you will not be able to pick up a magazine or listen to a news feed that will not have some info about it so until then relax and don't
let the fear factor that AV co's like to spread year after year after year.

bobtomay · Jan 4, 2011

james515 said:
it very well could be malware, security researchers have stated that malware attacks will target All apple products in 2011, as well as android devices and several others. The attacks will be stronger and more wide spread in the very near future.

use your favorite search engine to search for this info yourself

They've been saying the same thing every year for a long time.
Believe the pundits trying to sell software if you want.

iggibar · Jan 4, 2011

james515 said:
it very well could be malware, security researchers have stated that malware attacks will target All apple products in 2011, as well as android devices and several others. The attacks will be stronger and more wide spread in the very near future.

use your favorite search engine to search for this info yourself

I'll be chilling as I lean back on my chair and wait for it all.

Mac SK · Jan 4, 2011

There are browser preferences you can set to stop pop-ups. Also clear the cookies, history and browser cache.

james515 · Jan 4, 2011

bobtomay said:
They've been saying the same thing every year for a long time.
Believe the pundits trying to sell software if you want.

yes they have said that, I dont have a MAC so it does not matter to me about the upcoming attacks on Apple products.

bobtomay · Jan 4, 2011

james515 said:
yes they have said that, I dont have a MAC so it does not matter to me about the upcoming attacks on Apple products.

So, you must be one of the pundits wanting to sell their software and preying on the fears of recent ex Windows users.

bazanders · Jan 5, 2011

chas_m said:
There aren't any viruses for the Mac, so NO you don't have a virus.

To paraphrase someone else's signature: "A virus is NOT the same thing as 'a problem I don't understand.'"

No need to be so pompous chas, the guy clearly has spyware redirecting his browser. sophos have a free cleaner for mac you can get it here Free Mac Anti-Virus - Sophos Anti-Virus for Mac Home Edition give it a whirl.

IvanLasston · Jan 5, 2011

Where are you located?

What is your DNS set to?

What is in your /etc/hosts file?

Try google dns to see if it helps

DNS settings are specified in the Network window.
Example: Changing DNS server settings on Mac OS 10.5
From the Apple menu, click System Preferences, then click Network.
If the lock icon in the lower left-hand corner of the window is locked, click the icon to make changes, and when prompted to authenticate, enter your password.
Select the connection for which you want to configure Google Public DNS. For example:
To change the settings for an Ethernet connection, select Built-In Ethernet, and click Advanced.
To change the settings for a wireless connection, select Airport, and click Advanced.
Select the DNS tab.
Click + to replace any listed addresses with, or add, the Google IP addresses at the top of the list: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Click Apply and OK.
Test that your setup is working correctly; see Testing your new settings below.
Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.

harryb2448 · Jan 5, 2011

james515 said:
yes they have said that, I dont have a MAC so it does not matter to me about the upcoming attacks on Apple products.

We knew you did not have a Mac. And keep well away from Sophos!

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10331147-263.html?tag=mfiredir

OP clear your cache and browser history for starters.

virus help please!

schroederbear

iggibar

Spang

schroederbear

schroederbear

bobtomay

,

chas_m

Guest

schroederbear

wavinwayne

toMACsh

james515

osxx

bobtomay

,

iggibar

Mac SK

james515

bobtomay

,

bazanders

IvanLasston

harryb2448

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