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mackeeper opening browser windows

R

Randall88

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 22, 2015
14
0
I've found a few threads on here about this root of all evil for Mac users...

however, none of it quite relevant to me.

Currently, random lead pages for Mackeeper keep popping up in my browser.
I checked with Malwarebytes and extensions in Chrome, but it's still happening.

How do I get rid of this ?

Thanks!
 
Do you actually have MacKeeper installed? If so, DUMP IT. I can't even bring myself to searching the removal instructions on my Mac but they ARE out there.
 
There are very few malware for Mac, MacKeeper is one of them. Get rid of it.
 
no, I don't think it's on my system.. I've never installed anything.

Thanks for the software Nick, it found 3 items which I got rid of, will see what happens.


/update:
didn't help. This **** keeps popping up..
 
Last edited:
Randall88 said:
no, I don't think it's on my system.. I've never installed anything.

Thanks for the software Nick, it found 3 items which I got rid of, will see what happens.


/update:
didn't help. This **** keeps popping up..
Click to expand...


Sorry that didn't work. If there's an Apple store near you, try bringing it to their genius bar. My experience with the local Apple genius bar has been positive overall. It's hard to always get a proper answer online in this type of situation. Hope you get it straightened out soon.
 
Nick11Mac said:
Sorry that didn't work. If there's an Apple store near you, try bringing it to their genius bar. My experience with the local Apple genius bar has been positive overall. It's hard to always get a proper answer online in this type of situation. Hope you get it straightened out soon.
Click to expand...
Get an ad-blocker, the pop up pages are probably from ads on the sites you are visiting.
 
I concur with Marshall73. MacKeeper is known for aggressive advertising.
 
Marshall73 said:
Get an ad-blocker, the pop up pages are probably from ads on the sites you are visiting.
Click to expand...
I do have Adblock plus.

Nick11Mac said:
Sorry that didn't work. If there's an Apple store near you, try bringing it to their genius bar. My experience with the local Apple genius bar has been positive overall. It's hard to always get a proper answer online in this type of situation. Hope you get it straightened out soon.
Click to expand...
thanks Nick.
Would this apply to me, even when my Mac is not within the warranty anymore ?
Never heard of an Apple genius bar. (I am EU based though).
 
Does it only happen when you visit certain sites? Many questionable sites use questionable advertising, including mackeeper. I'm not here to judge if that's the case. Just be aware that some parts of the internet abuse browser apis for advertising purposes.

I've never personally encountered any browser hijacking programs in chrome, so this should solve all problems. The last thing to check is your add-ons. Make sure everything that all addons are legitimate.

I should add, you shouldn't encounter any complex removal processes on a mac. There aren't that many places it can stash things. The really bad places can't be written to without privileged access.
 
@thekev
happens quite randomly I guess... for example when I leave the notebook unattended (screen goes black) and then come back, only to find a mackeeper website open.
 
That's quite weird. It could seem like that if you're visiting any of the kinds of websites I mentioned. A rogue extension seems most likely. Disable all of your extensions other than adblock plus. You can always use the block an ad on this page function. You can pretty much block the whole domain. If it's only chrome, you could always reinstall chrome. Overall though, there aren't many places to bury things in OSX.
 
Randall88 said:
I do have Adblock plus.


thanks Nick.
Would this apply to me, even when my Mac is not within the warranty anymore ?
Never heard of an Apple genius bar. (I am EU based though).
Click to expand...

Make sure you go into the Adblock options und untick
Allow some unobtrusive advertisers

This is a list of ad providers that Adblock get paid to let on and it includes taboola etc which can all potentially spawn mackeeper etc

Other than that check the suggestions about safari plugins

Check library/launchdaemons for anything odd
 
Randall88 said:
thanks Nick.
Would this apply to me, even when my Mac is not within the warranty anymore ?
Never heard of an Apple genius bar. (I am EU based though).
Click to expand...

Hi Randall, if there is an Apple store near you, OR an Apple certified repair place, I'd start by talking with them. Ask if they can help you with this software issue. You may be able to make an appointment to bring in your Mac. A 'hands on' check will help in figuring out what needs to be done.

As to the warranty, I can only say that they helped me with a 2010 MacBook Pro I had earlier this year. I wasn't charged anything and got some good advice. At the very least, they should be able to offer you some ideas on methods for removal.
 
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