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How to remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 | Apple

Posted on 03/25/2015 8:24:24 PM PDT by Swordmaker

Use these instructions to uninstall or remove ad-injection software — sometimes called adware – from your Mac.

Ad-injection software is advertising-supported software that can come from third-party download sites. Software that you download from such sites may have been customized to install both the software you want and the ad-injection software. If your Mac has ad-injection software installed, you might see pop-up windows, ads, and graphics while surfing the web, even if “Block pop-up windows” is selected in Safari preferences. Ad-injection software might also change your homepage and preferred search engine.

Check Safari settings and extensions

Go to Safari > Preferences, then follow these steps:
1. Click the General icon and make sure that the Homepage field contains the website you want.
2. Click the Search icon and make sure that the search engine setting shows your preferred search engine. Some versions of Safari have this setting in the General pane instead.
3. Click the Extensions icon. If you don’t want an extension or don’t know what it does, select the extension from the list and click Uninstall. These are examples of ad-injection extensions, but there are others:
• Amazon Shopping Assistant by Spigot Inc.
• Ebay Shopping Assistant by Spigot Inc.
• Searchme by Spigot, Inc.
• Slick Savings by Spigot Inc.
• GoPhoto.It
• Omnibar

Remove certain ad-injection software

Use this “Go to Folder” method to find and remove each item listed in the sections below, one item at a time:

1. Drag to select an entire line in the lists below, starting with /System/Library/Frameworks/v.framework, for example.
2. Choose Edit > Copy.
3. Open a Finder window, then choose View > As Columns.
4. Choose Go > Go to Folder.
5. Choose Edit > Paste to paste the line you copied into the text field.
6. Press Return.

• If the item is on your Mac, a window opens with the item you searched for already selected. Drag only that item to the Trash. If you’re asked to enter a password, enter your administrator password.
• If the item is not on your Mac, you’ll see a message that the folder can’t be found. Continue to the next item in the list.

Remove Downlite, VSearch, Conduit, Trovi, MyBrand, Search Protect

Use Go to Folder to find and remove each of these items:
/System/Library/Frameworks/v.framework
/System/Library/Frameworks/VSearch.framework
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/Jack
/Library/InputManagers/CTLoader/
/Library/Application Support/Conduit/
~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/ConduitNPAPIPlugin.plugin
~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/TroviNPAPIPlugin.plugin
/Applications/SearchProtect.app

After you remove the items above, restart your Mac. Then choose Finder > Empty Trash to permanently remove them.

Remove Genieo, InstallMac

First follow these steps to stop the Genieo or InstallMac processes, if they’re running. Be sure to restart your Mac when instructed.

1. Open Activity Monitor.
You can use Spotlight (Command-Space) to search for “Activity Monitor,” then choose Activity Monitor from the search results.
2. In the Activity Monitor window, click the CPU tab, then click Process Name at the top of that column to sort the list alphabetically.
3. Look for the process “Genieo.” Select it, then click the Force Quit button (x) in the upper-left corner of the window.
4. Look for the process “InstallMac.” Select it, then click the Force Quit button.
5. Quit Activity Monitor.
6. Use Go to Folder to find and remove /private/etc/launchd.conf.

Restart your Mac

Use Go to Folder to find and remove each of these items:
/Applications/Genieo
/Applications/InstallMac
/Applications/Uninstall Genieo
/Applications/Uninstall IM Completer.app
/usr/lib/libgenkit.dylib
/usr/lib/libgenkitsa.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckit.dylib
/usr/lib/libimckitsa.dylib
/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client
~/Library/Application Support/Genieo/
~/Library/Application Support/com.genieoinnovation.Installer/

Restart your Mac

Now find and remove /Library/Frameworks/GenieoExtra.framework.

Restart your Mac

Choose Finder > Empty Trash to permanently remove the items.

Optionally remove other adware files

You don’t need to remove these files to disable the adware. If you do remove them, first remove the other files listed in the sections above. Use the same Go to Folder method to find and remove each item.

/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.engine.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.genieoinnovation.macextension.client.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/Jack.plist
~/Conduit/
~/Trovi/
~/Library/Caches/com.Conduit.takeOverSearchAssetsMac
~/Library/Caches/com.VSearch.bulk.installer
~/Library/Caches/com.VSearch.VSinstaller
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.download.plist
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.ltvbit.plist
~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.genieo.completer.update.plist
~/Library/Preferences/com.genieo.global.settings.plist.lockfile
~/Library/Preferences/com.geneio.settings.plist.lockfile
~/Library/Preferences/com.geneio.global.settings.plist
~/Library/Saved Application State/com.genieo.RemoveGenieoMac.savedState
~/Library/Saved Application State/com.VSearch.bulk.installer.savedstate

Go to the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder and look for a file named com.*.agent.plist. The asterisk (*) could be any word, including “Apple.” Example: com.midnight.agent.plist. Move the file to the Trash.

Go to the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder and look for a file named com.*.daemon.plist and a file named com.*.helper.plist. The asterisk (*) could be any word, but it will be the same word used in the LaunchAgents folder, above. Example: com.midnight.daemon.plist and com.midnight.helper.plist. Move the files to the Trash.
Go to the /Library/Application Support/ folder and look for a file name that is the same word used in the LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders, above. Example: midnight. Move the file to the Trash.

Restart your Mac, then choose Finder > Empty Trash to permanently remove the items.

 
Source: Apple Inc.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS:
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To: TigerClaws
I’ve had problems lately with Chrome. Adware with popups. Hate it. Nothing shows up when I run anti-virus software.

If you are running Chrome on a Mac, this should take care of it. . . but check in Chrome for any of the named plug-ins.

41 posted on 03/25/2015 11:59:11 PM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
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To: Swordmaker
I pinged everyone who has replied positively on this thread that you have smeared and insulted.

Ping away, fanboy. It is what it is.


42 posted on 03/25/2015 11:59:36 PM PDT by 867V309 (Boehner is the new Pelosi)
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To: 867V309
Ping away, fanboy. It is what it is.

No sir, your insults stand as they are.

43 posted on 03/26/2015 12:13:19 AM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
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To: Swordmaker
No sir, your insults stand as they are.

Yes, they do! Glad you agree.


44 posted on 03/26/2015 12:17:53 AM PDT by 867V309 (Boehner is the new Pelosi)
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To: 867V309; Utilizer; John Robinson
Ping away, fanboy. It is what it is.

This is a completely TECH THREAD posted with the intent of being useful for Freepers who use Apple Macs, and you and Utilizer are slinging feces and vomiting all over it. . . trying your damnedest to try to start a flame war. . . Something that Jim Robinson has specifically prohibited on FreeRepublic. Why?

You both are intentionally acting like juvenile mewling trolls to make Apple threads unpalatable and un-enjoyable for other Freepers to read by smearing all of your Fellow Freepers who choose to use Apple products. . .

45 posted on 03/26/2015 12:28:06 AM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
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To: 867V309
Yes, they do! Glad you agree.

They indict you as an asshat.

46 posted on 03/26/2015 12:29:14 AM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
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To: Swordmaker

Cry to the teacher. Waaaaaaaa.


47 posted on 03/26/2015 12:30:28 AM PDT by 867V309 (Boehner is the new Pelosi)
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To: 867V309
Cry to the teacher. Waaaaaaaa.

Again, you prove you are only 14 years old. You are an undisciplined, uncivil brat whose mother never taught manners!

These Alinsky tactics of trying to ridicule me just don't work. . . I am immune to them. Insult away, you just prove you have no cogent arguments, just insults.

48 posted on 03/26/2015 12:39:43 AM PDT by Swordmaker (This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
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To: Swordmaker

Later


49 posted on 03/26/2015 12:44:49 AM PDT by I_be_tc
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To: martin_fierro
Didn’t find any of that crap on my Mac. Yay me.

Me either. Of course, I made certain to never turn on the new-age Atari 2400 of the day, so nothing to worry about.

After all, it's not like I really need to do some REAL work on a computer.

Oh look. I need a dumb terminal to log onto a site, just like the NASA does like in that picture! Well, when it comes to Dumb Terminals, with really Pretty and Precious fonts, I guess I know where to point the Liberals to. *snicker*

50 posted on 03/26/2015 1:25:33 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: All

OK, JimRob, please do not delete this thread. You have better things to do than act as referee to the various factions that post here.

That being said, I remember that this is a site for conversation, and divergent thoughts coming together to find some sort of middle ground.

This little spat is not worth worrying about. The various participants will eventually go their own ways without any harm done. It is only the Liberals who demand that you adhere to their stated Ideology or be banned, and I know that this site is much better than that.

Thanks again for the opportunity to post here, and sorry that someone tried to bring you into this.

This is nothing more than a difference of opinion between FReepers, and you should not worry overmuch about it. Eventually, we will be focused upon whether or not Ted Cruz can make it (I hope he does -with Sarah Palin!), and this will be a slight bump in the months preceeding the elections.

Have a great day. :)


51 posted on 03/26/2015 2:24:01 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: All

It’s rather like a college campus where one student group demands that some person or other not be allowed to speak, on the grounds that it might “offend” someone (or themselves in particular).

Free speech does not mix well with the You-May-Not-Offend-Me attitudes, I must say. The “Other”-boxen (/Dumb Terminal) set will no doubt wail about how unfairly they are being treated.

Again. Kind of like Liberal/Democrat sources, actually (and why am I not surprised?).

It will all work out in the end.:)


52 posted on 03/26/2015 2:40:23 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: Kenny
Thanks! I’m new to mac and this is very helpful.

Great! You might also find out that there is a thing called a "modem", which allows you to get on various BBS sites, or even The Internet sometimes. I am sure your mac can find some outlet or other that might help you along those lines.

And there are more speeds than the standard 56K these days! What a country! :)

53 posted on 03/26/2015 2:48:11 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: babygene

anchor. Really.


54 posted on 03/26/2015 2:48:49 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: GeronL
Life in prison should be a good incentive on this

Definitely. Relegated to forcibly using a macmachine? I'd rather spend My days sitting alone in a Forest Reserve, with no one allowed nearby for months at a time.

55 posted on 03/26/2015 2:52:01 AM PDT by Utilizer (Bacon A'kbar! - In world today are only peaceful people, and the muzlims trying to kill them)
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To: Swordmaker
If you allow the enemy to control the conversation, they have defined the battlefield

Swordmaker, look what you just said, to the guys slinging poop on your Mac thread. You let the anti-Mac crowd control the conversation.

56 posted on 03/26/2015 2:57:16 AM PDT by Big Giant Head
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To: Swordmaker

Does this work on IPad?


57 posted on 03/26/2015 4:24:08 AM PDT by FrankR (They will become our ultimate masters the day we surrender the 2nd Amendment.)
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To: Swordmaker

BFL


58 posted on 03/26/2015 5:49:01 AM PDT by reed13k (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothings)
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To: Swordmaker

Thanks for the info....noting for later.


59 posted on 03/26/2015 6:20:30 AM PDT by Jane Long ("And when thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek")
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To: Utilizer

I’m not new to computers, just the mac. ;-(


60 posted on 03/26/2015 7:18:19 AM PDT by Kenny (,)
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