I think my mac is infected......

[kali89]

right now on my MacBook Pro (10.6.8) I have <i>some</i> kind of malware installed... the only thing it does (which in my view is bad enough) is on most websites I visit now, as soon as I click on a link (or start typing, say on an online forum like Sitepoint) it opens a new tab (b/c pop-ups are blocked, I suppose) with what I assume is an ad (or who knows what, I never see the content b/c I always manage to close it before the content appears..)
I asked on a forum elsewhere, was directed to here,
http://uk.pcmag.com/software/13724/guide/11-antivirus-apps-for-the-mac
by a responder, who suggested I install one of the pieces of sw mentioned here...

however, one comment here (the longest one, by EvilDave) suggests it's not necessary to install any of these things, that macs come with firewalls and such built-in..

if this is the case, how do I get rid of whatever is doing this in my mac? (I don't see any weird program in app folder that could be the culprit..)
and how do I prevent this from happening in the future?? what is/are the utility(ies) that are installed for this purpose on the mac (if any) and how do you use them? (would the disk utility be of use here?) this guy in his comment doesn't mention what these tools are that supposedly are installed out of the box...

I would appreciate some help here... I've had had my mac for over 5 years, this is the first time this happens....

 

[lclev]

Okay - first it sounds like you have adware issues which is a type of malware but not a virus. What happens is some where you have picked up something that is causing issues in your browser. Knowing which browser would allow me to be more specific but in general try this:

1. Check the extensions in your browser and get rid of any you do not recognize.
2. Clear your cookies and browser history.
3. Download Malwarebytes for Mac and run it. Remove anything it finds.
4. Download Onyx and run the automatic feature.
5. Now add to the extensions in your browser Adblock Plus and Ghostery. Both will help prevent installing of future issues.
I also like UBlock and run it too.

Post back and let me know how it goes!

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

One word. It is hard to locate Malwarebytes for Mac version 1 for OS X.6.8. No matter which site one goes to the OS X.8 and over versions seems everytwhere.

 

[kali89]

I have downloaded these... will check them out and report back... (have limited access to the internet right now, so this is taking me a bit...)

thank you both for your responses... (Harry, you mean this one,
https://www.malwarebytes.org/mac-download/
is not made for 10.6 Leopard?)

and Lisa, thank you for all your info & for taking the time....

 

[lclev]

That is correct - I did not realize that malwarebytes did not work with 10.6.8 - it only goes back to 10.7?? Sorry

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

kali89 give that one a go as it says version 1.1.x.x. It will advise if it is not for Snow Leopard OS X.6. Leopard is one earlier OS X.5.

 

[kali89]

ok.. thanks to both... if for some reason, then, if Malwarebytes doesn't work, it's ok to run just Onyx?

 

[MacInWin]

Yes, but Onyx doesn't scan for malware, it just cleans up the system and MAY clean out some offending material as a consequence. It's good to run periodically (about every 6 months or so).

 

[harryb2448]

If version 1.1 does nothing I would suggest erase and formatting the hard drive and installing OS X.6 from your DVD as the manual removal guide is not for the faint hearted. Go down to Manual Removal on this from the makers of MBM:-


http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-identification/

 

[kali89]

formatting HD? oh nooooooooo.... I can't do that.... :-o

that would be way too many headaches for me right now.. it would be a huge disruption in the life betw me and my computer...;~))

but thank you.. I will certainly try Malwarebytes and go from there....

will report back in a few days...

thank you Lisa, Harry, Jake..

 

[pm-r]

Why not do some maintenance on your browser, and if its Safari, try some of the options in the "Reset Safari", and your Safari Security and Privacy preferences etc.

 

[harryb2448]

Or just put up with it. One of the consequences of running an old operating system no longer supported by Apple with Security Updates.

 

[pm-r]

Or just put up with it. One of the consequences of running an old operating system no longer supported by Apple with Security Updates.

I would really like to see and read some proof or at least some links to support this statement made by many.

We have two Macs running SL OS X 10.6.8 without any such problems, and Apple is still providing updated XProtect files.

As for some sites as the OP is experiencing that think their Safari version is too old and not secure, also unsubstantiated and untrue, the user can switch to using an up-to-date Firefox version for those sites and carry on.



- Patrick
======

 

[pigoo3]

I would really like to see and read some proof or at least some links to support this statement made by many.

Read over the annual Apple update list links in this document:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222

I did a quick scan…and the last Security Update I could find for OS 10.6.8 was September, 2013.

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Ahh these recalcitrants. Going on three years and still does not believe. Or does not want to.


http://www.computerworld.com/articl...ort--leaves-1-in-5-macs-vulnerable-to-at.html

 

[kali89]

ok.. I'm finally ready to do this.. anything else I need to know before I go ahead?? (I will quit all progs and restart.. anything else I should be doing? run updates also, I suppose....)

man, I hope Malwarebytes works...

thanks again to all for your help...

PS: to the person who mentioned Safari: I rarely use Safari.. I use mostly Firefox & Chrome.....

 

[pigoo3]

ok.. I'm finally ready to do this.. anything else I need to know before I go ahead?? (I will quit all progs and restart.. anything else I should be doing? run updates also, I suppose....)

man, I hope Malwarebytes works...

Should have done this 3 days ago! The Malwarebytes scan only takes about 6 seconds & is completely harmless.

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Keep us posted kali89. Hope it works.

 

[MacInWin]

It was there. Go for it!

 

[kali89]

well, that did not go well......:-(

Malwarebytes indeed does not work with my OS (10.6.8....)

and when I tried opening/installing OnyX got an alert saying it didn't recognize it (I'm certainly I dl'd the one for my OS... I guess I'll try again...)

so are there any other options/sw I can use to clean up my mac?

thank you....