Good afternoon lizzy1892,
Trojan.Spambot is a generic detection for Trojan applications that may harvest stored credentials and email addresses for the purposes of spam distribution. Collected email addresses may be used to send spam email messages. The bot can generate reviews at a fifth grade level, using limited vocab and medium number of simple sentence patterns. (writing level will be upgraded shortly) Instructions: 1) open the bot 2) listen to at least 60 seconds of the music 3) click on the buttons on the screen that matches the song 4) click on 'generate' (the biggest button in the.
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
I understand you are getting unwanted text messages on your iPad. If the messages are sent via iMessage (these are messages sent between Apple devices - look for blue bubbles), then the filtering process and blocking of these messages can be controlled. But if they are SMS or MMS messages (green bubbles), these messages are coming through your wireless carrier. You can still block these messages, but if you are receiving a lot of them, you will need to contact your wireless carrier for ways to address the issue. I've highlighted some key information here for you. Click on the links for complete details.
About iMessage and SMS/MMS
Learn why some of your message bubbles are blue or green.
You can use the Messages app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to send messages. Those messages are sent as iMessage or SMS/MMS. Learn more about the difference between the message types.
iMessage
iMessages are texts, photos, or videos that you send to iOS devices and Macs over Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks. These messages are always encrypted and appear in blue text bubbles. To turn iMessage on or off, go to Settings > Messages.
SMS/MMS
If you aren’t using iMessage, you can use SMS/MMS. These messages are texts and photos that you send to other cell phones or iOS devices. SMS/MMS messages aren't encrypted and appear in green text bubbles on your device.
To use SMS/MMS on an iPhone, you need a text-messaging plan. Contact your wireless carrier for more information. You can also set up your other Apple devices to send and receive messages from any Apple device.
If Wi-Fi is unavailable, iMessages will be sent over cellular data. Cellular data rates might apply.
Block phone numbers and contacts on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
With iOS, you can block contacts and phone numbers on your device. You can also filter iMessages from unknown senders and report iMessages that look like spam or junk.
Messages
If you're in Messages, open the conversation, tap , then tap the name or phone number. Scroll to the bottom of the Info screen, then tap Block this Caller.
When you block a phone number or contact, they can still leave a voicemail, but you won't get a notification. Messages won't be delivered. Also, the contact won't get a notification that the call or message was blocked.
You can use some third-party apps to detect and block spam phone calls.
To see the phone numbers and contacts that you've blocked from Messages: Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked.
To add a contact from Messages or FaceTime, go to Settings > Messages or Settings > FaceTime, scroll down and tap Blocked, tap Add New, then select the contact that you want to block.
Filter iMessages from unknown senders
You can filter iMessages from people who aren't saved in your Contacts.
To filter iMessages, go to Settings > Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
In Messages, you'll see a new tab for Unknown Senders but you won't get notifications for these iMessages.
Report spam or junk in the Messages app
You can report iMessages that look like spam or junk from the Messages app. If you get an iMessage from someone who's not saved in your Contacts, you'll see a Report Junk link under the message. Tap the link to forward the sender's information and the message to Apple.
To report SMS and MMS messages, contact your carrier.
Take care.
Dec 12, 2017 8:21 AM
Ads are the cornerstone of the digital economy. That’s why blocking them becomes more difficult each year. And, sadly, ad blockers cannot eliminate all ads that keep popping up on your screen. In this article, we’ll teach you a few methods of reducing web pop-ups, and we’ll take a look at some of the best Mac ad blocking options.
Yes, Macs might be safer from viruses and malware, but not from ads, adware, pop-ups, and cookies that help advertisers retarget ads at you wherever you go. Digital adverts are everywhere. The more time you spend online, the more you will see, even embedded in apps and Facebook messenger.
But first, a more effective way how to remove ads on Mac is to clear out potential web pop-ups that continue to direct ads to your Mac. What this usually means is you are infected with malware. Some signs of this include:
- More pop-ups and ads than you would normally expect when browsing the web;
- Suddenly getting redirected away from a page you were visiting;
- ‘Recommended updates’ and other indicators that you need a certain piece of seemingly legitimate software.
Why remove ads?
Blocking ads don't just improve your browsing experience. It could also prevent malware and other viruses from gaining a foothold in your Mac. Cybercriminals are getting smarter. They need to find clever ways to steal data, find your payment details, passwords, and sell or make use of this online.
It is worth installing anti-virus to add another layer of protection to your Mac. Adware scripts (that you may not be aware of) drain your browser memory. This renders even a new Mac unbearably slow. The good news is Mac anti-viruses are too getting smarter these days.
For example, CleanMyMac X by MacPaw has found a niche in removing macOS-specific viruses. Its anti-virus database lists a few hundreds of latest adware infections.
Now, onto the issue of finding the most suitable solutions for blocking ads.
How to remove ads on Mac?
- Block ads in Safari
Safari users have huge control over pop-ups in this browser. Safari lets you manage the list of websites allowed to show pop-ups and then blocks pop-up windows on those particular sites. To set these restrictions, go to Safari Preferences, choose the Websites tab, and block pop-ups on the currently open websites.
Safari does all it can to prevent pop-ups and any fraudulent website warnings. These are ads that use phishing techniques to make you think you need to download something from Apple or other legitimate software companies. We will outline ways to remove these nasty pieces of software further down this article.
Another way to remove pop-ups in Safari is to check Extensions. You should find this menu option in the same place and should have the same option to remove any browser extensions that you don't want or need. You should recognize every extension because at one point you would have had to agree to download and install (Safari doesn't let it happen any other way); malware and other viruses hide in other places across your Mac, so they are unlikely to appear with other browser extensions.
When you are browsing the web, and a pop-up appears, Apple recommends going to a new browser tab and closing the original. Interacting with a pop-up could cause you to click through to it or accidentally download malicious software. Many pop-ups are legitimate adverts; however, some are there to trick people, with ‘close’ buttons that send web visitors through to the link, with some of them ending up in a rough neighborhood of the web.
Destroying hidden adware extensions
Some extensions behave more covertly than that. There are entities called launch agents that play a supporting role for other apps on your Mac. And after you’ve deleted the main app, its launch agent could still be bombarding you with notifications.
To find such hidden extensions on your Mac you may use a free version of CleanMyMac X.
- Install the CleanMyMac X (this tool is notarized by Apple)
- Open the tab called “Extensions”
- Find all suspicious items and click Disable
Look through the tabs under Internet Plugins and Preference Panes. Be vigilant: adware may have perfectly innocent names.
Common adware extensions
Some of the most common include VSearch, Conduit, Genieo, GoPhoto, Jollywallet, Savekeep, MacShop, Yontoo, Shopper Helper Pro, Slick Savings, PallMall, and Awesome Screenshot. These malicious pieces of tech are bundled into other seemingly legitimate downloads or email attachments, even social media images, and videos, and once you've clicked accept, most anti-virus programs believe they're approved by the Mac user.
2. How to remove ads from Google Chrome
Always make sure you are using the most up-to-date version of Chrome. Security updates prevent some of the latest viruses and cyber threats, making it always worthwhile to click 'yes' to an update.
To manage pop-ups in Chrome, enter chrome://settings into the browser address bar and then go to 'Privacy and security.' Here, click 'Site settings.' Make sure the 'Pop-ups and redirects' are blocked.
Now, let's check your extensions and make sure there are no adware-related ones.
- Launch the Chrome browser.
- Enter this line into the address bar:
chrome://extensions
If you find any extension you either don't need or don't recognize, click the Remove button.
Spam Bot Message
Now, we'll reset settings to refresh your Chrome
- Click Chrome > Preferences... (in the top menu).
- Click on Advanced > Reset settings.
Now everything that was causing pop-ups and unwanted ads to appear, including software that uses phishing tactics and browser extensions that are a cover for malware, should be removed.
3. Block ads in Firefox
Make sure you are using the latest version of Firefox. Preventing the latest cyber threats is one of the main reasons software companies insist on so many updates.
To make sure pop-ups are disabled in Firefox, enter about:preferences in the browser address bar. Then, go to Privacy&Security. Here, check the box next to 'Block pop-up windows.'
To check for malicious extensions in Firefox, you can follow this set of steps:
Launch Firefox.
Go to the Apple menu bar, click Tools.
Tools > Add-ons.
This takes you to the Add-ons manager page. In the left-hand side pane, you will find Extensions. If you find anything suspicious or that you don't need anymore, click Remove. You can also find these same options within the latest version of Firefox, within a series of menu options in the top right hand of your browser, below the tabs.
To reset Firefox, go to Help and select Troubleshooting Information.
On this page, you will find Reset Firefox to its default state. Click Reset Firefox.
With that done, all add-ons and extensions will be automatically removed, which should remove a lot of the problems caused by unwanted ads and pop-ups.
Remove adware with CleanMyMac
So far we've been using the built-in security tools of your browser. But to fully eliminate ads, you'll likely need a dedicated ad cleaner. Most ad blockers block ad offers proactively and this is fine. But to deal with adware infections, you will need to somehow detect their existing presence on your Mac.
CleanMyMac X is a tool that has been recently notarized by Apple. You can use it in 3 ways:
Spam Bot Email
- To delete browser extensions (including the hidden ones)
- Uninstall apps that could contain ads
- Detect malware and viruses
According to 'Objective by the Sea' (a security conference), 20% of Macs contain PUPs or potentially unwanted applications. This type of malware is exactly what CleanMyMac X detects. It also checks for hidden cryptocurrency miners, spyware, and worms that are also found on Macs.
- Launch CleanMyMac X.
- Choose Malware Removal in the sidebar.
While you are in CleanMyMac X, choose Uninstaller in the sidebar. It will dig out all software that is installed on your Mac. This includes normally hidden and unused apps.
You may also want to download ad-blocking software, so here are a few that are recommended.
Use third-party Ad blockers
1. AdBlock Plus (ABP) is a popular option to block ads in Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. It comes with custom filters, including a “non-intrusive advertising” whitelist, so you can keep helping media and websites you like while not seeing ads and pop-ups you don’t.
2. AdBlock - not related to ABP - has Safari, Chrome, and Opera options. Ads are blocked from known adservers and you can add others to your blacklist while maintaining a whitelist, similar to ABP.
3. AdBlocker Ultimate comes with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and is proud to have taken no money from media companies and blocks everything it possibly can. AdBlocker Ultimate also blocks known malware, adware, and tracking domains.
There are, of course, dozens of more options for how to remove ads on Mac. Safe to say, your browser should be an ad, pop-up, and malware-free if you take the steps outlined in this article.
Frequently asked questions
How to find out what app is causing pop-ups?
It’s not often apparent what app is showing pop-ups on your Mac. The best way to detect malicious app or program is to scan your Mac with antivirus software. You can run a malware scan with CleanMyMac X. It identifies the malicious agents and offers immediate removal.
How to get rid of Google ads?
Google ads are usually displayed on various websites, and unfortunately, you can’t completely close or control them manually. You could use some of the ad blockers we listed above. They block all pop-ups and banners that appear on most websites.