PJS-4.2 ads removal?

[jwarner]

We just ran across this specific piece of malware today at work and managed to remove it. For us, AdwareMedic found PJS-4.2 to be some variant of the malware Conduit. We went through the removal process detailed here http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-conduit/ and it seems to have successfully removed the malware from the infected computer. Hopefully this will help you to find and remove it.

I'll update this if I learn anything else or if (heaven forbid) that it should come back on said machine.

Oh, also, note that you have to be an administrator for the removal process to work. I know it's foolish to say, but I just have to make sure.

Thank you for trying, but none of those files were found on my computer. Further, the Firefox instructions aren't applicable because it's affecting Safari. Any further help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tjlich]

Pjs-4.2

Have the same problem. Tried to load Adware medic but it apparently is blocking that as i can download and move it to Applications but when I click on it nothing comes up.

Frustrating!!!

 

[superhype]

This might take a little time, but I had the same problem occurred yesterday. All I did was create a new user on my Mac and then copy all the files from ~/Library/ folder on my flash drive since I didn't know where the infected file was. then I just log back into the account that is showing the "ad byPJS-4.2" and copy the files I had copied into that ~/Library/ folder and it seems to work for me.

Hope this might help someone.

 

[BrendanFlanagan]

Its funny that everyone got it on the same day. It must have been from some popular site. And i couldn't find anything when i googled it either. Thank God for this feed.

Also, the ads are gone, but i can't download adobe flash player any more :/ no matter how many times i try to do the installer, it says its finished but i still can't play movies.

 

[tjlich]

PJS-4.2 Fix

I followed some of the advice here but either "IT" would not let me load or open the scan/cleaner programs or they did not work.

Finally called apple and spent a good 2 hours with very competent, polite and efficient people that took care of the PJS-4.2 problem.

Maybe you can find a way to rid yourself of this without apple support but if you are not able, just give them a call.

 

[simonsi]

...spent a good 2 hours with very competent, polite and efficient people that took care of the PJS-4.2 problem....

But what did they do to get rid of it? I'm sure they would be happy with your posting it so users can self-help...

 

[Apple_Robert]

I followed some of the advice here but either "IT" would not let me load or open the scan/cleaner programs or they did not work.

Finally called apple and spent a good 2 hours with very competent, polite and efficient people that took care of the PJS-4.2 problem.

Maybe you can find a way to rid yourself of this without apple support but if you are not able, just give them a call.

It might be a good idea to share with those in the thread suffering from the same problem what Apple did to help you get rid of it.

 

[TOMIMOT]

A moderator should make this thread a sticky. Pretty useful/helpful answers here and seems like this new adware is spreading

 

[theslobe]

Pop Up ads "ad byPJS-4.2"

The popup ads hit 2 of my computers today. I installed CCleaner by Piriform. Got the download from CNET, might have read on this thread that someone else suggested this software too. That's all the info I have, sorry not a techie, Just a Pinterest person. The ads are gone for now at least.

 

[simonsi]

The popup ads hit 2 of my computers today. I installed CCleaner by Piriform. Got the download from CNET, might have read on this thread that someone else suggested this software too. That's all the info I have, sorry not a techie, Just a Pinterest person. The ads are gone for now at least.

Do you know what you downloaded/installed to give you the ads in the first place? Or where from?

 

[theslobe]

Do you know what you downloaded/installed to give you the ads in the first place? Or where from?

No clue, I'm just a casual browser not a techie. Nothing unusual - a few news sites & Facebook. I noticed them on my son's Air tonite, he can only get to a very limited number of sites & he wasn't on the computer that much today. My husbands knows more & waiting to see if he can figure out what happened tomorrow. CCleaner did stop the ads though, not sure if the problem has been removed from my files though.

----------

This is REALLY annoying. CCleaner did not work, and I used the correct version for OS X Yosemite. I started getting the PJS 4.2 ads yesterday (Jan 7, 2015), there are no files on my Mac, and I've searched everywhere. I hope the creators of this malware are prepared to have the **** sued out of them.

The same ads from PJS 4.2 hit me today too on 2 of my Macs. I ran the CCleaner & I've been free of the ads this evening. I ran the "TOOLS - repair Permissions" too. The ads were driving me crazy today.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The popup ads hit 2 of my computers today. I installed CCleaner by Piriform. Got the download from CNET, might have read on this thread that someone else suggested this software too. That's all the info I have, sorry not a techie, Just a Pinterest person. The ads are gone for now at least.

I wouldn't download files from CNET or softonic etc. Both are notorious for including crapware in the downloads without telling anyone. And a lot of times, the crapware will have a yes or no option. And if you click no, it will install part of what you don't want, or continuously try to install.

I would make sure that you have AdBlock Plus installed.

If you use FireFox, there is an excellent extension called "no script," that will help prevent getting unseen nasties on a website.

If you use Safari, you can find similar type extensions.

 

[shawn21099]

i had the same problem and hated it. i used http://www.thesafemac.com/arg/ and took it out in five minutes. thanks so much!