When using Safari I got a message stating that I have a virus. It is directing me to maconlinesupport.info or asking me to call 215-600-4011. Is this legit or a scam?

It is a scam. Force quit Safari then restart.

SCAM!

Do not call that number unless you want to be fleeced.

Ciao.

DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER!

if you get this message again make sure that you dont have a virus because those things are normally caused by viruses,especially viruses that can ad your mac like CRAZY! after you check for a virus and you still get those messages then Either: Dont use safari,Ask apple for a refund(wont work if you had the mac for 1 year),take the mac to a pc/mac checker (i recommend Currys\Knowhow) hope this helps!

Fettullah Cinar wrote:

DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER!

This is correct.

if you get this message again make sure that you dont have a virus because those things are normally caused by viruses,especially viruses that can ad your mac like CRAZY! after you check for a virus and you still get those messages then Either: Dont use safari,Ask apple for a refund(wont work if you had the mac for 1 year),take the mac to a pc/mac checker (i recommend Currys\Knowhow) hope this helps!

This is not correct. What jgroenke experienced was not a virus but a 'normal' popup embedded in a web site. There is no reason that Safari cannot be continued to be used and Apple certainly is NOT going to give a refund as a result of this incident nor a repeat of same.

Ciao.

This just happened to us too. My son called the number. It wasn't functioning properly so he hung up. What is the worst case scenario here?

If the other party (scammer) did not get access to the MBP, you are all right. If they did, you should erase the HDD, reinstall the OSX, change all passwords and if you bank online, notify your bank.

Ciao.

HEy OGELTHORPE

I fell for the scam

I got scared and called I thought they were actual support.

im erasing my HDD

i only use the laptop for Hw

but I'm afraid about my phone, should I be worried since is connected to the same network? Also my iPad.

CCan they steal info from the phones?

we went to fastsupport.com

and they after a procedure he had control of the computer.

he showed me all the "problems" my computer had etc

but I didn not hand over any other info like credit cards or name

bbut he did see the serial number and the monitor, the network

Help thanks

SevenRz wrote:

HEy OGELTHORPE

I fell for the scam

I got scared and called I thought they were actual support.

im erasing my HDD

i only use the laptop for Hw

but I'm afraid about my phone, should I be worried since is connected to the same network? Also my iPad.

CCan they steal info from the phones?

Only the MBP was compromised. Any information on the MBP is susceptible to exploitation. The phone should be fine.

Ciao.

I fell for this. The guy had accessed to my MBP but didn't give credit card info and I hung up. Could you say what does "susceptible to exploitation" might involve? Could he have downloaded my files? Or, is it mostly online banking, etc. I'm worried about ss# and address, etc. is there a way to know what was downloaded/ accessed? I would think an expert could find out if certain files were downloaded, correct? I'm trying to see how far i need to go with identity theft protection. Thanks so much!

PS. How come this guy can't be caught? There's a phone number and I'm sure he can be framed.

Hey ogelthorpe,

About an hour ago I called them and this man answered and I gave him access to my MBP but I don't really have anything personal on here other than some concert photos because I only got this MBP yesterday. I gave him my name and email and nothing else, but now I'm reading that this is a scam and I am really paranoid about using my Mac now. Is it possible that the scammers can now access my MBP without me knowing from this day on? And while he was on my laptop I could see everything that he was doing with my laptop. I did not see him opening up my Facebook or anything, but is it possible that he could have looked through social media websites or other things on my computer without me knowing? If I just restart my HDD am I safe to use my Mac in peace from now on?...Sorry for the pestering questions, I am really paranoid about using my laptop at the moment.

To put it as simply as I can, if you allows the scammer access to your MBP, then consider the data compromised, erase the HDD, reinstall the OSX and your data on a selective basis. Make certain to change your passwords and contact your bank if you do online banking.

If you just talked to the scammer on the phone and did not allow him to access your MBP, then the MBP and the information is safe from the scammer.

resita wrote:

PS. How come this guy can't be caught? There's a phone number and I'm sure he can be framed.Ciao.

The odds are he is in a foreign country where prosecution would be very difficult.

Ciao.

lorijiang wrote:

Hey ogelthorpe,

About an hour ago I called them and this man answered and I gave him access to my MBP but I don't really have anything personal on here other than some concert photos because

Regardless of what you have on your MBP, I still recommend that you erase the HDD and start over again. That will eliminate any doubt about any potential future problems.

Ciao.

lorijiang wrote:

Is it possible that the scammers can now access my MBP without me knowing from this day on?.....If I just restart my HDD am I safe to use my Mac in peace from now on?

Yes and no. You have no idea what he might have done - he could have loaded something which would give him 'backdoor' access in the future, thus enabling him to capture your bank transactions and other private data. You and anyone who has allowed one of these scammers access to your Mac must regard yourselves as seriously compromised and should follow Oglethorpe's advice to reformat and reinstall your Mac. That is the only way you can be safe. You should also change all your passwords and keep a close eye on your credit cards.

So would it be fine if i use the firewall as a protection against the scammers?