safari pop up alert telling me to call a support number

If I backup everything and restore from the backup, how do I know the malware wasn't backed up as well?

That's explained in the link I gave...

Here is the scam to avoid. My daughter tried to watch tv on a Chinese scammer sight and got the same message. Thanks for the 'shift' trick. That was helpful.

Same thing here. When I got the message, I immediately disconnected the internet. I called the number and when I heard the speaker and all the noise in the background, I knew for sure it was a scam. I continued the phone call to see what they'd do. They asked for my computer model and how new it was, then the guy said to wait for two minutes while he talked to his supervisor. After about two minutes, he hung up on me.

Thanks Niel this happened to me today too!

Thanks for all the great information Thomas_r. I have a question. My father had a popup, called the number and granted remote access. I need to re-format his computer, he has no backups and I want to save his pictures and other documents. If the computer is disconnected from the internet can I back up his personal stuff to a USB drive without any concerns? Thanks again for your help.

jpm962 wrote:

If the computer is disconnected from the internet can I back up his personal stuff to a USB drive without any concerns?

Yes, that shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure you're cautious about what you restore from backups.

The same thing happened to me, except I called the number and went as far as going to their 'go to assist' page. I did not go any further or give them any of my information and immediately hung up. Should I be worried about being compromised?

I Did not grant remote access

kw0405 wrote:

Should I be worried about being compromised?

Since you say you did not give the scammers remote access to your computer, no.

I called apple. The scam is getting access to your computer. Do not allow them access to your computer!

this happened to me twice after geting my mac book back from apple (screen repairs).

The first time it had happened i called apple sadly the lady that took my call was completely hopless, after the call i thought i fixed the problem by completing a system updatde os x el capitan 10.11 to 10.11.1.

however yesturday it happened to me once again so i called the number, the guy was very rude and asked for me to look at my screen, where i saw my mouse was moving around. He then opened notes and terminal and spoke to me by remotely typing on my screen.

Not once did he ask if he could gain acess to my computer. nor did i give him any of my macbook details.

he brought up about me paying him and wasnt impressed by my reply of just taking it bak to apple.

although i didnt give me permision to acess it seems to be he didnt need it. should i be worried?

You should consider your computer comprised and do as thomas.r instructed in his previous responses.