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Mcafee loaded a copy of its 'safe connect' during an Adobe Reader download. I need assistance in removing this unwanted app. I've tried deleting through Windows and Norton and the downloaded MCPR(1) Mcafee recommended removal app does nothing.
I'm open to suggestions in removing this piece of crap from my system as it constantly generates ads suggesting that I need Mcafee on my computer.
Posted: 09-Apr-2022 | 6:49AM · Permalink
If a Norton full system scan does not help, I would suggest a second opinion scan using the FREE version of Malwarebytes. You can find it here https://www.malwarebytes.com/premium/ That might be able to detect the McAfee remnants.
You should try contacting McAfee to ask this.
Posted: 09-Apr-2022 | 9:47AM · Edited: 09-Apr-2022 | 9:54AM · Permalink
adding to peterweb:
Your browser displays fake McAfee notifications
https://service.mcafee.com/?locale=en-US&articleId=TS102999
McAfee is tracking an increase in the use of deceptive popups that mislead some users into taking action, while annoying many others. A significant portion is attributed to browser-based push notifications, and while there are a couple of simple steps users can take to prevent and remediate the situation, there is also some confusion about how these should be handled.
https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/other-blogs/mcafee-labs/how-to-stop-the-popups/
How to install and run a scan with Malwarebytes (Guide)
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/scan-malwarebytes-anti-malware-2-0/
Malvertising
Malvertising, or malicious advertising, is the use of online advertising to distribute malware with little to no user interaction required.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/malvertising/
Malwarebytes Browser Guard
Filters out annoying ads and scams while blocking trackers that spy on you.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard/
Browser push notifications: a feature asking to be abused
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/security-world/technology/2019/01/browser-push-notifications-feature-asking-abused/
Adware and PUPs families add push notifications as an attack vector
https://blog.malwarebytes.com/adware/2019/06/adware-and-pups-families-add-push-notifications-as-an-attack-vector/
Remove Unwanted Browser Ads and Pop-ups (Virus Removal Guide)
https://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-adware-popup-ads/
Malwarebytes Malware Removal Help
https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/108-malware-removal-help/
Posted: 10-Apr-2022 | 6:34AM · Edited: 10-Apr-2022 | 6:34AM · Permalink
Hi George Matsukis:
The McAfee Consumer Product Removal (MCPR) tool described in the McAfee support article TS101331 is only designed to remove the last traces of full McAfee antivirus products like McAfee LiveSafe and McAfee Total Protection. This tool will not remove utilities or browser extensions like McAfee Safe Connect, McAfee WebAdvisor, etc.
Did you download your Adobe Reader from the official Adobe download page at https://get.adobe.com/reader/, and if so do you remember enabling the option to install the free McAfee Security Scan Plus at the same time? By default, McAfee utilities should not be bundled with Adobe installers downloaded from the official Adobe site unless you choose to do so.
If you downloaded an Adobe Reader installer that was bundled with a "legitimate" version of McAfee Safe Connect then according to McAfee you should be able to uninstall McAfee Safe Connect from Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features. See the following McAfee support articles:
TS102812 - How to Uninstall Safe Connect
TS102654 - What is McAfee Safe Connect?
If you can't uninstall McAfee Safe Connect from Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features and/or Settings | Apps | Apps & Features then I would agree with peterweb and bjm_'s suggestion to see if a scan with Malwarebytes Free (available at https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download) is able to find and remove the last traces - assuming it classifies the program you installed as malware or a PUP (i.e., a potentially unwanted program like a browser toolbar, adware, etc.). I usually recommend that Malwarebytes Free users deactivate the 14-trial trial of the Premium (real-time protection) features after installation at Settings (gear icon) | Account | Deactivate (see Deactivate Premium Trial in Malwarebytes for Windows) and just use Malwarebytes Free as a second-opinion on-demand scanner. I also have Malwarebytes configured to warn me before it removes any PUPs or PUMs at Settings (gear icon) | Security | Potentially Unwanted Items so I have a chance to review any lower-risk threats like browser toolbars, etc. detected by Malwarebytes that I might actually want to keep.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.1586 * Firefox v99.0.0 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2203.5-1.1.19100.5 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.7.186-1.0.1645
Posted: 13-Apr-2022 | 12:05PM · Permalink
I had to contact Mcafee who attempted the usual Windows variations to remove software. They gave me a case# and promised to call within three days. The evening of the second day a Mcafee super tech contacted me and failing with the usual Window inept apps, he went thru my registry to finally eliminate the unwanted 'Mcafee Safe Connect' from my computer.
It is finally gone!
Posted: 13-Apr-2022 | 2:14PM · Edited: 13-Apr-2022 | 2:20PM · Permalink
George Matsukis:....The evening of the second day a Mcafee super tech contacted me and failing with the usual Window inept apps, he went thru my registry to finally eliminate the unwanted 'Mcafee Safe Connect' from my computer. It is finally gone!
Hi Georger Maksukis:
Glad to hear that McAfee support was able to solve your problem.
This won't help you now, but I normally use Revo Uninstaller Free v2.x in Aggressive mode to uninstall programs and apps. Revo Uninstaller Free runs the "native" uninstaller (e.g., the same uninstaller that runs if you uninstall from Control Panel | Programs | Programs and Features) and then looks for and offers to delete any orphaned registry entries and disk files left behind by the uninstaller. The only drawback is that the program or app you want to remove must still be installed on your system when Revo Uninstaller Free is launched.
Revo Uninstaller PRO v4.x has an extra feature called "Forced Uninstall" that you can use to clean up delete orphaned registry entries and disk files after you uninstall the program (i.e., as in your case where McAfee Connect Safe had already been uninstalled). The cost of a subscription for the PRO version is fairly reasonable (currently $12.47 USD for one year, $19.97 USD for two years; a portable version that can be saved to a removable USB thumb drive and used on multiple computers only costs a few extra dollars) but if you ever need to clean up the remnants of a single program like McAfee Connect Safe again then you can try the free 30-day trial version of Revo Uninstaller PRO at no cost.
Norton Guru Krusty13 posted <here> in October 2021 about a free program called HiBit Uninstaller that includes many of the advanced features of Revo Uninstaller PRO but I haven't had a chance to test HiBit myself.
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Dell Inspiron 15 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.1586 * Firefox v99.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2203.5-1.1.19100.5 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.7.186-1.0.1645 * Revo Uninstaller Free Portable v2.3.8
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