Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

cat on a computer

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 9, 2016
13
0
Whenever I browse the Internet on my MacBook, I am greeted with an error, "ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED". This pops up when I open a website that does not begin with "https://". For example, I cannot access http://www.chromahills.com/forum/downloads.php, http://www.minecraftskins.com/, and even macroumors (I'm using macroumors through my iPhone) I can access websites such as https://server.pro/my-servers/. My MacBook version is 10.9.5, I do not use proxies, I do not have any firewall on any websites, I do not have any ad block software my antivirus software is never open, and I have already run it. I normally use google chrome, but the problem persists on all browsers and users. I have tried clearing browsing data, such as cookies and caches, redownloading my browser, and restarting my Mac. Is there any solution to my problem? Thanks in advance for the help! :3
 
Last edited:
How where would the blocks in the settings be?

Could be a number of places, router/firewall, Mac firewall, various Apps/progs you may or may not have installed, proxy services...the list is long. Post a screenshot of what Safari shows when you try and access an http site.

Also "whenever" is a vague phrase that is only clear if we know what variety of sites you are trying, post a list of say 6 url's that prompt this error.
 
Could be a number of places, router/firewall, Mac firewall, various Apps/progs you may or may not have installed, proxy services...the list is long. Post a screenshot of what Safari shows when you try and access an http site.

Also "whenever" is a vague phrase that is only clear if we know what variety of sites you are trying, post a list of say 6 url's that prompt this error.

I'll try this and if the problem persists, I'll get a screenshot soon
 
iTunes is refusing to open, and iCloud is a lost cause, so I can't get the screenshot to my phone. Word for word safari tells me "Safari can't open the page "www.minecraftskins.com" because safari can't connect the the server "www.minecraftskins.com"' Google chrome only says the webpage isn't avaible (ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED), and provides fixes (which didn't help) in "details"
 
Go to terminal prompt and enter telnet <some url> 80

If it hangs or says connection refused then the problem is not the browser. If it connects, then it could be.

Do you have another computer or mobile device on the same network?

Edit, by some URL, I mean www.minecraftskins.com, www.google.com, etc. Just the domain part.
 
Go to terminal prompt and enter telnet <some url> 80

If it hangs or says connection refused then the problem is not the browser. If it connects, then it could be.

Do you have another computer or mobile device on the same network?

Edit, by some URL, I mean www.minecraftskins.com, www.google.com, etc. Just the domain part.

The search said it didn't match any documents. And I have my iPhone connected to the same Internet, with no problems. I don't think it's the browser, because whether it's Firefox, Safari, or chrome, nothin changes
 
Boot into Safe Mode, by restarting while holding the Shift key.
Login as normal when you see the login window, then try your internet.
Parts of your system will not load in Safe boot, so you might run into some things that don't seem to work, until you restart normally. Your internet connection should work, however.

Do you use Little Snitch ?
 
Boot into Safe Mode, by restarting while holding the Shift key.
Login as normal when you see the login window, then try your internet.
Parts of your system will not load in Safe boot, so you might run into some things that don't seem to work, until you restart normally. Your internet connection should work, however.

Do you use Little Snitch ?

Ok, I'll try that now, and I do not use little Snitch
[doublepost=1460336737][/doublepost]
It's the same for other users, what do you mean by "boot into safe mode"?

Safe mode- result positive.
[doublepost=1460338567][/doublepost]It finally worked. Thank you for the help! :3
 
Last edited:
Ah, good to hear!
Did that FIX your problem? Boot back into your normal system, and try your internet again ... still fixed?
 
Ok, I'll try that now, and I do not use little Snitch
[doublepost=1460336737][/doublepost]

Safe mode- result positive.
[doublepost=1460338567][/doublepost]It finally worked. Thank you for the help! :3
Ah, good to hear!
Did that FIX your problem? Boot back into your normal system, and try your internet again ... still fixed?

Let me try that...
[doublepost=1460347042][/doublepost]
Ah, good to hear!
Did that FIX your problem? Boot back into your normal system, and try your internet again ... still fixed?

No, how do I keep it fixed?
 
Let me try that...
[doublepost=1460347042][/doublepost]

No, how do I keep it fixed?

Check your login items, you have something starting up automatically and causing this - something that isn't loaded when booting into Safe Mode. Do you have any kind of network monitor or security running?
 
Safe mode prevents certain software from running.
You have something in your system (not YOUR user, as you said the same problem also exists in another user account, correct?)
So, it's some part of your system software, or some app that runs, common to all users, but is stopped when you booted into safe mode.

Here's an idea - download and run the utility EtreCheck, then post the results here. That may show some software that can be reported through EtreCheck, and might be your troublemaker....
EtreCheck will show the startup software that simonsi was asking about.
 
Check your login items, you have something starting up automatically and causing this - something that isn't loaded when booting into Safe Mode. Do you have any kind of network monitor or security running?

Maybe security...
[doublepost=1460347876][/doublepost]
Safe mode prevents certain software from running.
You have something in your system (not YOUR user, as you said the same problem also exists in another user account, correct?)
So, it's some part of your system software, or some app that runs, common to all users, but is stopped when you booted into safe mode.

Here's an idea - download and run the utility EtreCheck, then post the results here. That may show some software that can be reported through EtreCheck, and might be your troublemaker....

Ok, I'll try that
[doublepost=1460348494][/doublepost]
Safe mode prevents certain software from running.
You have something in your system (not YOUR user, as you said the same problem also exists in another user account, correct?)
So, it's some part of your system software, or some app that runs, common to all users, but is stopped when you booted into safe mode.

Here's an idea - download and run the utility EtreCheck, then post the results here. That may show some software that can be reported through EtreCheck, and might be your troublemaker....
EtreCheck will show the startup software that simonsi was asking about.

I selected "just checking". Here is what I got:
EtreCheck version: 2.9.10 (261)
Report generated 2016-04-10 21:16:32
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime 3:51
Performance: Good

Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
Click the [Remove] links to remove adware.

Problem: No problem - just checking

Hardware Information: ⓘ
MacBook Pro Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7 (Mid 2010)
[Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]
MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro6,2
1 2.66 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Battery: Health = Check Battery - Cycle count = 980

Video Information: ⓘ
Intel HD Graphics - VRAM: 288 MB
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - VRAM: 512 MB
Color LCD 1680 x 1050

System Software: ⓘ
OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 (13F1077) - Time since boot: about 2 hours

Disk Information: ⓘ
ST9500420ASG disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (264.56 GB free) - 4 errors
Drive failure!
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

MATSHITADVD-R UJ-898 ()

USB Information: ⓘ
Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

Gatekeeper: ⓘ
Mac App Store and identified developers

Adware: ⓘ
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.Vertumnus.net-preferences.plist
/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.cyathophyllineUpd.plist
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Extens...safariextension
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Extens...safariextension
~/Library/Caches/com.apple.Safari/Extensions/Searchme.safariextension
5 adware files found. [Remove]

Kernel Extensions: ⓘ
/Applications/Parallels Desktop.app
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hidhook (8.0 18354.823166 - 2012-12-15) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.hypervisor (8.0 18354.823166 - 2012-12-15) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.netbridge (8.0 18354.823166 - 2012-12-15) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.usbconnect (8.0 18354.823166 - 2012-12-15) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.vnic (8.0 18354.823166 - 2012-12-15) [Support]

/Applications/Voxal.app
[not loaded] com.NCHSoftware.driver.VoxalVirtualAudioDevice (1.0.2 - SDK 10.6 - 2015-02-03) [Support]

/Incompatible Software/Parallels Service.app
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook (6.0 12094.676494 - 2012-07-30) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor (6.0 12094.676494 - 2012-07-30) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge (6.0 12094.676494 - 2012-07-30) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect (6.0 12094.676494 - 2012-07-30) [Support]
[not loaded] com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic (6.0 12094.676494 - 2012-07-30) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions
[not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_netpart (2.0.2 - 2016-04-10) [Support]
[not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_usbpart (2.0.2 - 2016-04-10) [Support]
[not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.usbpart (2.0.6 - 2016-04-10) [Support]
[loaded] com.ScreamingBee.driver.SBVirtualMic64 (1.1.0 - SDK 10.9 - 2016-04-10) [Support]
[not loaded] com.cisco.nke.ipsec (2.0.1 - 2016-04-10) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions/Belcarra.USBLAN_netpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.netpart.panther (1.6.1 - 2007-06-06) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions/Belcarra.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.usbpart.panther (1.6.1 - 2007-06-06) [Support]

/System/Library/Extensions/RemoteControl.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns
[not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.panther (1.6.1 - 2007-06-06) [Support]

Startup Items: ⓘ
CiscoVPN: Path: /System/Library/StartupItems/CiscoVPN
Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite

System Launch Agents: ⓘ
[not loaded] 7 Apple tasks
[loaded] 143 Apple tasks
[running] 34 Apple tasks

System Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[not loaded] 46 Apple tasks
[loaded] 138 Apple tasks
[running] 65 Apple tasks

Launch Agents: ⓘ
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]

Launch Daemons: ⓘ
[running] com.Vertumnus.net-preferences.plist (2016-03-12) Adware! [Remove]
/etc/change_net_settings.sh
[failed] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2015-09-09) [Support]
[loaded] com.apple.aelwriter.plist
[loaded] com.cyathophyllineUpd.plist (2016-03-12) Adware! [Remove]
/etc/st-up.sh
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]
[running] com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist (2015-08-20) [Support]
[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2010-08-25) [Support]
[running] com.sec.faxdb.plist (2010-10-07) [Support]
[loaded] com.skype.skypeinstaller.plist (2014-11-29) [Support]
[failed] com.vmware.launchd.vmware.plist (2010-11-30) [Support]

User Launch Agents: ⓘ
[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2015-09-12) [Support]
[loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist (2016-01-30) [Support]

User Login Items: ⓘ
iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
Skype Application Hidden (/Applications/Skype.app)
SPanel Application (/Library/Printers/SPanel/Samsung/SPanel.app)
DaemonManager Application (/Library/Printers/Samsung/Daemon/DaemonManager/DaemonManager.app)

Other Apps: ⓘ
[running] [0x0-0x1d01d].com.fiplab.memoryclean
[running] [0x0-0x2b02b].com.etresoft.EtreCheck
[running] [0x0-0x7007].com.google.Chrome
[running] com.Samsung.DaemonManager.45968
[running] com.Samsung.SPanel.45616
[running] com.skype.skype.7424
[loaded] 429 Apple tasks
[running] 310 Apple tasks

Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
Google Earth Web Plug-in: 6.0 (2011-05-17) [Support]
Default Browser: 537 - SDK 10.9 (2014-10-22)
Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: 2.3.5.4 (2010-09-10) [Support]
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: 12.2.7 (2010-10-16) [Support]
Unity Web Player: UnityPlayer version 4.6.1f1 - SDK 10.6 (2015-01-15) [Support]
Silverlight: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 (2015-12-23) [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: 19.0.0.185 - SDK 10.6 (2015-09-21) [Support]
Flash Player: 19.0.0.185 - SDK 10.6 (2015-09-21) Outdated! Update
QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2015-08-23)
iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.8 (2013-05-03)
SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.3.4 - SDK 10.6 (2013-05-11) [Support]
AdobePDFViewer: 9.5.5 (2013-05-21) [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Java 7 Update 09 (2012-11-21) Check version

User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ
NPRoblox: 1, 2, 8, 25 - SDK 10.11 (2015-12-09) [Support]

Safari Extensions: ⓘ
Searchme (cache only) (2015-08-18) Adware! [Remove]
Amazon Shopping Assistant (cache only) (2015-08-09) Adware! [Remove]
Ebay Shopping Assistant (cache only) (2015-08-09) Adware! [Remove]

3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ
Flash Player (2015-09-09) [Support]
Flip4Mac WMV (2010-09-10) [Support]
MacFUSE (2010-09-02) [Support]
Perian (2015-12-23) [Support]

Time Machine: ⓘ
Skip System Files: NO
Mobile backups: OFF
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 499.25 GB Disk used: 234.69 GB
Destinations:
JF_BackUp3 [Local]
Total size: 0 B
Total number of backups: 0
Oldest backup: -
Last backup: -
Size of backup disk: Too small
Backup size 0 B < (Disk used 234.69 GB X 3)

Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ
91% Google Chrome Helper(5)
12% Google Chrome
9% fontd
6% kernel_task
6% WindowServer

Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ
442 MB kernel_task
401 MB Google Chrome Helper(5)
209 MB Skype
102 MB Google Chrome
82 MB mds_stores

Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ
574 MB Free RAM
2.82 GB Used RAM (886 MB Cached)
0 B Swap Used

Diagnostics Information: ⓘ
Apr 10, 2016, 09:15:46 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211546_[redacted].crash
/Library/Vertumnus/*/Vertumnus
Apr 10, 2016, 09:15:35 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211535_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:15:25 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211525_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:15:14 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211514_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:15:04 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211504_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:14:54 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211454_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:14:44 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211444_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:14:33 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211433_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:14:23 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211423_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:14:12 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211412_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:14:02 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211402_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:13:52 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211352_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:13:41 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211341_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:13:31 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211331_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:13:21 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211321_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:13:10 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211310_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:13:00 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211300_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:12:50 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211250_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:12:39 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211239_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 09:12:29 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Vertumnus_2016-04-10-211229_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 06:40:06 PM Self test - passed
Apr 10, 2016, 05:50:43 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-175043_[redacted].crash
/System/Library/CoreServices/Software Update.app/Contents/Resources/softwareupdated
Apr 10, 2016, 05:49:55 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174955_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:48:35 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174835_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:47:19 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174719_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:46:05 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174605_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:44:41 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174441_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:43:03 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174303_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:41:21 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-174121_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:39:57 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-173957_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:37:21 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-173721_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:36:04 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-173604_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:34:22 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-173422_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 05:10:07 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2016-04-10-171007_[redacted].crash
com.apple.iTunes - /Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunes
Apr 10, 2016, 04:40:21 PM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iPhoto_2016-04-10-164021_[redacted].hang
/Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/MacOS/iPhoto
Apr 10, 2016, 04:37:04 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2016-04-10-163704_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 04:34:40 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2016-04-10-163440_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 04:33:13 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2016-04-10-163313_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 04:32:10 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2016-04-10-163210_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:48:24 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014824_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:47:18 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014718_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:45:15 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014515_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:43:58 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014358_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:42:38 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014238_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:41:24 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014124_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:40:02 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-014002_[redacted].crash
Apr 10, 2016, 01:38:52 AM /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/softwareupdated_2016-04-10-013852_[redacted].crash
Apr 9, 2016, 10:48:53 PM ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/iTunes_2016-04-09-224853_[redacted].crash

I'm going to make sure that adware is removed
 
Last edited:
Remove Mackeeper too.

[running] com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist (2015-08-20) [Support]
 
Remove Mackeeper too.

[running] com.mackeeper.MacKeeper.plugin.AntiTheft.daemon.plist (2015-08-20) [Support]

Ok. How do you get to the caches? The "Command-shift-G" command isn't getting me there
[doublepost=1460349659][/doublepost]
Ok. How do you get to the caches? The "Command-shift-G" command isn't getting me there

Nevermind.
[doublepost=1460349985][/doublepost]I can't delete the safari extensions from Etrecheck. How can I get to those files manually? Thanks for your awesome help
 
Ok. How do you get to the caches? The "Command-shift-G" command isn't getting me there
[doublepost=1460349659][/doublepost]

Nevermind.
[doublepost=1460349985][/doublepost]I can't delete the safari extensions from Etrecheck. How can I get to those files manually? Thanks for your awesome help

Safari/Preferences/Extensions...then uninstall and restart Safari.

Mackeeper, delete the crapp and reboot but there are some threads around detailing how to remove the rubbish Mackeeper can leave behind...
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.