Safari quit unexpectedly and won't reopen

[TheyCallMeCJ]

I was working on my iMac (24-inch Early 2008 running OS X Yosemite 10.10) last night and Safari (latest Version 8.0) quit unexpectedly on me. Then never opened ever since. Kindly asking you to please help if you can.


I have already tried clicking Reopen, and the same window "Safari quit unexpectedly" reopens again. I tried deleting the file (Library > Preferences > com.apple.Safari.plist). Also tried deleting the History file. Neither one did solve the problem. I have also tried deleting all the extension (add-ons) files. I have also tried holding down the Shift key while opening Safari, it didn't work, it just kept telling me "Safari quit unexpectedly." before Safari even launches. Any suggestions?

 

[triscuitbiscuit]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

 

[TheyCallMeCJ]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Yes. Also tried unplugging the iMac and plugging it back. Didn't work.

 

[TheyCallMeCJ]

I found out what the problem was.

I have somehow installed the "Genieo" malware. The same time I downloaded the extension "AdBlock". So please be aware of this extension, and if anyone else is reading this reply, do NOT download any extension that isn't from the official Apple website.

 

[Weaselboy]

I found out what the problem was.

I have somehow installed the "Genieo" malware. The same time I downloaded the extension "AdBlock". So please be aware of this extension, and if anyone else is reading this reply, do NOT download any extension that isn't from the official Apple website.

Where did you download the Adblock software from? Neither of the two most popular Adblock programs for Safari include malware/adware. What more likely happened is you got the software from a third party site like Softonic or CNet's download.com and those sites added the malware to the download.

 

[redheeler]

Where did you download the Adblock software from? Neither of the two most popular Adblock programs for Safari include malware/adware. What more likely happened is you got the software from a third party site like Softonic or CNet's download.com and those sites added the malware to the download.

I don't think those sites are malicious. Annoying yes, but not malicious. It was most likely an obscure site offering browser extensions.

 

[Fishrrman]

You might also try downloading and using "Adware Medic":
http://www.adwaremedic.com/index.php

IMPORTANT:
If you currently have adware installed that tries to "redirect" you when you go to the AdwareMedic page above, you can use this URL instead to -directly download- the app to your computer:
http://www.adwaremedic.com/AdwareMedic.dmg

 

[Weaselboy]

I don't think those sites are malicious. Annoying yes, but not malicious. It was most likely an obscure site offering browser extensions.

I guess it depends on your definition of malicious. But CNet (download.com) and Softonic's bundling of adware in their installers is pretty well documented. Call it whatever you want, but nobody should be downloading anything from either site.

Genieo is specifically mentioned in the Softonic article and that's why I asked the OP about it.

http://www.thesafemac.com/continue-to-boycott-softonic/

http://www.thesafemac.com/boycott-cnets-download-com/