Genieo

[DavidfromSalem]

I'm new to the forum so don't know if this goes here or somewhere else.
I broke my #1 rule and downloaded a card game off the web and am now stuck with Genieo as the primary browser. I researched it and the info is that it's adware or malware from a source in Israel. Some say it's a prank, some say it's a virus. Either way, I need Safari and Firefox back and my macbook (10.6.8) seems slower since the invasion.
In addition 50% or more of my YouTube and other sites with video have 'blocked plugins." I download the "latest version of Flash Player" and nothing changes.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[honestone]

I'm new to the forum so don't know if this goes here or somewhere else.
I broke my #1 rule and downloaded a card game off the web and am now stuck with Genieo as the primary browser. I researched it and the info is that it's adware or malware from a source in Israel. Some say it's a prank, some say it's a virus. Either way, I need Safari and Firefox back and my macbook (10.6.8) seems slower since the invasion.
In addition 50% or more of my YouTube and other sites with video have 'blocked plugins." I download the "latest version of Flash Player" and nothing changes.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

There are two excellent free programs that can help you. First, get the latest version of ClamXav from here:

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/15850/clamxav

That program can detect viruses.

The other one is AdwareMedic, which you can get from here:

http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/52105/adwaremedic

Run ClamXav first, then AdwareMedic.

Are you making backups? That is important, and it would be good if you make a bootable backup of your "clean" system.

 

[DavidfromSalem]

Appreciate the response and I got ClamXav and AdwareMedic, ran them both but Genieo is still there.

 

[Cory Cooper]

The Safe Mac has posted manual uninstall instructions on their website, in case the AdwareMedic automatic removal fails:

"If you do not follow these directions exactly, you could cause your computer to freeze and to be unable to restart!"
The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide : Genieo

Norton has posted manual uninstall instructions on their website:

"Follow the instructions carefully, deleting any inappropriate file can cause your computer to freeze and probably it may not restart."
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v103415336_EndUserProfile_en_us

It is important to heed their warning. As always, make sure you have a current backup of your files as a precaution, in case something goes awry. Don't try this if you are not comfortable or unfamiliar with the procedures above. You can always go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Center to get assistance.

C

 

[honestone]

The Safe Mac has posted manual uninstall instructions on their website, in case the AdwareMedic automatic removal fails:

"If you do not follow these directions exactly, you could cause your computer to freeze and to be unable to restart!"
The Safe Mac » Adware Removal Guide : Genieo

Norton has posted manual uninstall instructions on their website:

"Follow the instructions carefully, deleting any inappropriate file can cause your computer to freeze and probably it may not restart."
https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v103415336_EndUserProfile_en_us

It is important to heed their warning. As always, make sure you have a current backup of your files as a precaution, in case something goes awry. Don't try this if you are not comfortable or unfamiliar with the procedures above. You can always go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Center to get assistance.

C

Excellent advice! And, especially about having a backup. In fact, one needs to have a consistent schedule with backups. Myself, I use the excellent backup/cloning program SuperDuper!. Given how well I take care of both of my machines, I only need to do such a backup once a week. And, the best part is that it is a bootable backup, and thus makes recovery a breeze!

Additionally, Genieo is one nasty program! I'm glad I don't have it, and whenever I download a piece of software, I either do it through the trusted site www.macupdate.com, or directly from the software's "home" site itself.