Error message MacOS compromised

pjswiz wrote:

Hello Winsummer,

Do you have a screenshot of this? Apple will not send these messages. It is more likely this is an app or website that is trying to make you click on it. DO NOT click on any popups or links where you don't know where they're going.

It might also be e-mail from a scammer. The scammers will try to frighten you with text saying your computer is infected with hundreds of viruses. (How would they know?)

Follow the links in such e-mail messages, and that's when the criminals will rip you off in one way or another.

Hello Winsummer,

Do you have a screenshot of this? Apple will not send these messages. It is more likely this is an app or website that is trying to make you click on it. DO NOT click on any popups or links where you don't know where they're going.

Track down the app you believe is causing it and force quit it. Do not interact with it.

If it is an application,

I would also advise going through Privacy & Security of Settings. I would go through and make sure no app is abusing permissions you've granted. More specifically I'd be careful with what you grant access to:

1. Location
2. Camera
3. Microphone
4. Screen Recording
5. Files & Folder
6. Full Disk Access

In my opinion, no app should have Full Disk Access.

Do not download any anti virus or cleaner software. Your iMac does not need it. The Privacy & Security section of Settings can be used to grant more / remove less privileges from all apps on you iMac. If you don't like what an app is doing, delete it from your iMac or revoke it's privileges to aspects of macOS.

If this is a website,

On macOS:

1. Open Safari
2. Open Settings (Command + ,)
3. Click on Websites
4. Scroll down and click on Notifications

Either Deny the website in question access to send notifications OR toggle off Allow websites to ask for permission to send notifications and delete the website in question (Click on it an then tap Remove).

Once you can identify if it's an app or a website I can provide further steps in assisting you and securing your MacBook Air.

U.S. Government – Federal Trade Commission – Avoiding and Reporting Scams

https://consumer.ftc.gov/scams