Possible malware on iphone

I recently downloaded WhatsApp to communicate w a friend traveling overseas. I use Duck Duck Go as my browser. Today I received message saying I had a voicemail in WhatsApp. Naturally when I pushed play button it was obviously a scam. Something about prizes. Then suddenly a banner appear in black purporting to be from Apple stating I had been infected w malware or virus and possibly the name of virus. I think it wanted me to click on a link but don’t remember for sure but it definitely said to go to Apple store and Dowload an antivirus program (it might even have said which on). Unfortunately by that time I was somewhat panicked and thought the whole thing was a scam and that I needed to get off the WhatsApp email asap and did not keep or photo the page w the purported message from Apple. I checked and there is a malware associated w this WhatsApp scam. So my question is what do I need to download to find out. I downloaded Malwarebytes but I don’t see it checking anything just offering to block ads and scammer phone calls. What do I need to see if I have a virus or malware on my iPhone.

I did not allow WhatsApp to access my contacts when I set it up as I only had one person I was communicating w. I don’t know if the malware just screws w what’s app or if my iPhone is at risk. Any help?

Posted on Sep 24, 2022 6:06 AM

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Posted on Sep 26, 2022 12:59 PM

There are no viruses that can affect an iPhone unless it has been jailbroken. What you saw was a pop up scam. All you needed to do was close it and ignore it. But, they do try to scare you. You also don't need to stop using WhatsApp (unless you want to). Unless you downloaded software in response to this popup, no malware was installed on your phone. And, while I recommend Malwarebytes under certain circumstances on a Mac, I see no purpose for it on an iPhone.



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Sep 26, 2022 12:59 PM in response to iatrosm90

There are no viruses that can affect an iPhone unless it has been jailbroken. What you saw was a pop up scam. All you needed to do was close it and ignore it. But, they do try to scare you. You also don't need to stop using WhatsApp (unless you want to). Unless you downloaded software in response to this popup, no malware was installed on your phone. And, while I recommend Malwarebytes under certain circumstances on a Mac, I see no purpose for it on an iPhone.



Sep 26, 2022 12:47 PM in response to iatrosm90

Hey there iatrosm90,


Anything to do with the features within WhatsApp and Duck Duck Go is best supported by the app developers of those apps: How to contact an app developer


Regarding the message you saw, there's not anything built-in to the iOS system that would make a notification like the one you saw show guiding you to download a security app from the App Store.


As for phishing attempts in general, We'd like to help by sending tips on how to avoid these, along with the steps to report them: Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams


Cheers!

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Possible malware on iphone

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