security - pop up ads coming up on my mac - looking like it's mac security
Hello, pop up ads coming up on my mac -
For the first time in 4 years, My mac is getting ads (looking like mac windows) for 'anti'malware' and ads (looking like mac) saying that I have viruses and to download to erase them. I have seen this twice this week. It is NOT from mac protection (although it looks like your computer and HD). This is happening in firefox - what can I do to block this??? (i already have blocked suspicious sites, etc)?
I called Mac - they said this is malicious software and has been happening in the last 2 weeks - to not download anything (which I hadn't) and that they ask for a credit card number and download possible viruses.
I changed something in my system preferences in safari - but use firefox usually - is there anything I can do in safari to not get these??
Krejt Përgjigjet (3)
Sorry - I meant anything I can do in FIREFOX :-), thanks
On my iMac, I opened Safari -> Preferences -> General and unchecked Open “safe” files after downloading to protect against the recently reported "Bogus MacDefender malware".
Ref:
http://thenextweb.com/apple/2011/05/02/bogus-macdefender-malware-campaign-targets-mac-users-using-google-images/
Firefox would not automatically open a downloaded file that could start a software installation, as far as I know. The file would be saved and you would need to open it manually, as a Firefox user mentioned here: http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/apple-rumors-reports/237155-macdefender-malware-targeting-mac-users.html
You can do other things to keep safe online with Firefox, such as making sure all your plugins are up to date by visiting www.mozilla.com/plugincheck/ and disable any plugins in Firefox that you aren't using, via "Tools -> Add-ons -> Plugins" . See Troubleshoot issues with plugins like Flash or Java to fix common Firefox problems for more info.
If you already installed the malware, the first link I posted explains how to remove it, which I've copied below.
Luckily, disabling and removing the bogus MacDefender application is easy. If you have been infected and want to make sure it no longer resides on your system, follow the steps below:
- To ensure you do not automatically download the app, uncheck the following: Safari > Preferences > General > uncheck “Open “safe” files after downloading”.
- Searching for the application and deleting it directly may fail, saying the app is in use. To stop it running, check Activity Monitor (in Applications > Utilities) and disable anything that relates to MacDefender.
- Look in /Library/StartupItems and, same place, LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons for references to the malware app.
- Once quit, head to the Applications folder and drag the MacDefender app to the trash, then delete trash.
- To ensure all references to the app are cleared, run a search using Spotlight and delete all MacDefender references you find.
The removal of the app is somewhat easier than on Windows, mainly thanks to the security of the Mac OS X operating system. The malware looks to proliferating off the back of attacks on websites that are serving images on Google Images – it is recommended that you browse safely, utilising other image searches for the time being.
If you feel uncomfortable following these instructions, you should visit Apple Support or the Apple discussion forum, where I found many related threads about this malware, including https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3029144
Ndryshuar nga AliceWyman
maybe use software firewall like this: www.protemac.com/netmine/??? i think, this way more simple...