FBI virus locking up Safari on Macbook Air
- Thread starter Ed Stewart
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Hi again Ed - glad that your issue was resolved - but for our 'experts' who made a lot of excellent suggestions to resolve the problem (once happened to me and the previous comments worked) - WHY does disconnecting from Wi-Fi correct the 'browser hijack'? Just trying to understand for future reference - thanks. Dave
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It works because there is nothing "on" your computer. It is a browser hijacker. It only works when visiting the web site that hijacks it.
The issue with force quitting most browsers, is they re-open the same tabs that were open when you force quit. When you re-open the browser after a force quit, it begins reloading the same websites that were open when you quit it, including the one which once again wants you to interact with their window and give them some money. Disconnecting (or turning off wifi) prevents those pages from re-loading and gives you time to close that tab so that it can't reload.
There really is no need to reset Safari either - there is nothing in Safari that will cause it.
All you have to do is close the tab for the web site that's doing the hi-jacking before it can reload.
If you're fast enough to close the offending tab after launching the browser - don't even need to turn off your wifi.
The issue with force quitting most browsers, is they re-open the same tabs that were open when you force quit. When you re-open the browser after a force quit, it begins reloading the same websites that were open when you quit it, including the one which once again wants you to interact with their window and give them some money. Disconnecting (or turning off wifi) prevents those pages from re-loading and gives you time to close that tab so that it can't reload.
There really is no need to reset Safari either - there is nothing in Safari that will cause it.
All you have to do is close the tab for the web site that's doing the hi-jacking before it can reload.
If you're fast enough to close the offending tab after launching the browser - don't even need to turn off your wifi.
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And for the op - what you were saved from, is giving $70 to the same guys that were holding your browser hostage.
They would not have fixed it, when that $70 didn't fix it (because they didn't want it to), they would have wanted a couple hundred next for the next rip-off fix.
That's what we call a scam...
Never give money to any pop up window on your computer saying they can fix what's wrong with it - period - never.
They would not have fixed it, when that $70 didn't fix it (because they didn't want it to), they would have wanted a couple hundred next for the next rip-off fix.
That's what we call a scam...
Never give money to any pop up window on your computer saying they can fix what's wrong with it - period - never.
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if the guy who hosed your browser is suggesting something, do something else. I also would not pay the guy and would rather find any other way.
consider booting from an external drive and reinstalling the IOS.
if you have terminal you could download another browser via ftp
consider booting from an external drive and reinstalling the IOS.
if you have terminal you could download another browser via ftp
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Well you're coming in late to this thread - the problem has already been solved - did you read the posts?
Plus, not iOS but a laptop w/ OS X - just saying? Dave
Safari Virus
I'm new to this Forum and joined just to thank Bobtomay and OSXX for their help. Between the two of them, I was able to fix my problem. At first, I panicked and thought my Mac had a virus but, when I calmed down, I realized it was just Safari. I couldn't do anything - the pop-up said 'Smart Online Scan', to call a number - and to pay. Also, a warning not to turn your computer off or it will crash. The tab read 'PC-Critical-Error Report.com'.
I want to thank Bobtomay for explaining what was causing it and thank OSXX for 'Do not have Safari set to open last page viewed'. Since I didn't know how to do that, I turned my Wifi off, clicked on reset Safari and unchecked all but 'Close all Safari windows'.
Perfect! I'm so happy I found this forum and thank you!
I'm new to this Forum and joined just to thank Bobtomay and OSXX for their help. Between the two of them, I was able to fix my problem. At first, I panicked and thought my Mac had a virus but, when I calmed down, I realized it was just Safari. I couldn't do anything - the pop-up said 'Smart Online Scan', to call a number - and to pay. Also, a warning not to turn your computer off or it will crash. The tab read 'PC-Critical-Error Report.com'.
I want to thank Bobtomay for explaining what was causing it and thank OSXX for 'Do not have Safari set to open last page viewed'. Since I didn't know how to do that, I turned my Wifi off, clicked on reset Safari and unchecked all but 'Close all Safari windows'.
Perfect! I'm so happy I found this forum and thank you!
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I had to help a friend of mine fix his windows 7 machine that got the fib/obama scam on it as well....had to completely erase his hard drive and reinstall win 7. 2 weeks later it came on his android phone and he had to have sprint reset the entire phone.
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