1

I had strange issue with Safari on Macbook today. It add on any pages I had visited links to other sites. It looks like an advertising.

For example, if I had the page with next text:

".... answers for you Apple question ..."

Safari changed page so "Apple" was hyperlink to other site with an advertising of Apple production. I can see it on any page and with different words.

I have not install any Safari extensions last time and the only thing that looks suspicious is the new Apple update which I have installed today.

I have restarted Safari and now all looks fine, but I just want to know what it had been and what I can do now to find the reason this strange behavior and to dispose future risk to security.

Improve this question
4
  • 1
    Make a screenshot next time you see it, hard to guess. Could have been an advertisement.. this is way too broad to give an exact answer for.
    – Rob
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 16:52
  • It just change text Apple to a hyperlink which looks like any other hyperlink on this page. It keeps text on hyperlink as it is ("Apple", in my example). Hyperlink refers on the online shop or something like this which offer something related to text on hyperlink. It is strange for me that something can change text on any tab of browser...
    – ceth
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 17:49
  • Was it something like this? malwaretips.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/…
    – Rob
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 17:57
  • A little bit. The link was not green, but the same style as other links in the page. An it open on new tab.
    – ceth
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 18:07

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
5

I think what Rob is getting at and what I think might be happening is that you have some malware (virus, etc) on your Mac (yes they do exist) that could be adding things to web pages.

It could be as simple as a browser extension or plug-in with some hijacking code in it, or something more system wide.

you could try resetting Safari (from the Safari menu select Reset Safari), turning off extensions (Safari menu -> preferences -> extensions. then turn them all off) or going into private browsing mode (Safari menu -> private Browsing).

Optionally you could try another browser, Chrome or Firefox would be my choices. If they do the same thing then it may be system-wide and time for a virus checker or a visit with your favorite Mac repair shop (Apple store or local reseller) to determine what is going on.

Also some routers and some ISPs inject ads and other stuff into web pages. Try it on a different WiFi (Starbucks, etc...) and see if the issue goes away

Improve this answer
3
  • Please note: Some sites use this to advertise without harm.
    – Rob
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 18:07
  • @Rob, it was on different sites. And Chrome had not that links on the same page.
    – ceth
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 18:10
  • @Steve, thanks. I have done what you advice and will be hope it will not continue.
    – ceth
    Commented Apr 23, 2014 at 18:18

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .