AFP Virus / Malware - Your browser has been locked

Hi

I'm still reasonably new to Macs and have a Virus / Malware I think.

It says AFP (Australian Federal Police) have locked your browser, etc

google says its bogus.

How do I remove it?

I can't shut down that TAB/Safari window.

Please Help

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 3, 2013 7:12 AM

Reply
11 replies

Aug 3, 2013 7:37 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Hi,

I guess it's from a Torrent then, but lesson learnt now.

So if no Virus, then it's Malware??

I'm running ClamXav right now to check - will that help or remove it?


I'll start reading those pages now and I've added that Ad Block, thank you very much for the help.


EDIT: I just did this, from another thread here that RE: FBI Malware


To prevent the loop from running and exiting the page

  1. Disable Javascript.
  2. Hit back in Safari.
  3. Enable Javascript.
  4. Reset History and Top Sites as a precaution.

This resolved the problem, but I'm staying clear of torrents forever!!!

Freaky stuff

Aug 3, 2013 7:20 AM in response to Mersenne1138

Considering there are no viruses for OS X that would be impossible. If this is a popup then then you may be navigating to **** sites or downloading from torrents both of which is foolish and will eventually result in some malware being installed on your computer.


However to manage popups open Safari - Preferences - Extensions - Add Extensions and look for Ad Block, then install it.


Also properly educating yourself on OS X malware may be a smart move. I'd recommend with a couple of articles first:


Thomas Reed's Mac Malware Guide


and


Viruses, Trojans and Malware - Prevention and removal: Apple Support Communities

Aug 3, 2013 7:35 AM in response to Mersenne1138

Force quit Safari, then open it again holding down the Shift key.


You may be able to avoid force-quitting by opening Safari Preferences - Security & un-checking 'Enable Javascript' then clicking the back button in Safari, then re-checking the box.


Unless you download & install something, or potentially, if you have java enabled... then browsing the web will not 'result in some malware being installed', no matter where you go.

Aug 31, 2013 3:52 AM in response to Mersenne1138

This is definitely not malware. It's just a page that loads and uses some JavaScript tricks to keep you from closing it, and tries to trick you into thinking you need to pay some government authority money. See:


FBI ransomware “virus” rampant


Note that, although the scam described in that link refers to the FBI, it's still the same scam... there are numerous variants, all tailored to the authorities in your part of the world.

Dec 30, 2013 12:33 PM in response to andyBall_uk

Thank you for the extra tip about holding down the shift key. I had this problem and used force quit, but the ransom page re-appeared when i re-opened safari. I tried using the menu options to reset safari, but the malware program kept preventing me from selecting the reset option. Using your suggestion, I force quit, then held down the shift key when re-opening safari, and voila, the ransom page was gone. I was then able to reset safari, just to be on the safe side.

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AFP Virus / Malware - Your browser has been locked

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