My Safari browser is locked up and I am getting a message to call an AppleCare number that seems to be fake. I think I have a virus or malware. Has anyone else encountered this problem or know a solution?
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)
Choose Force Quit from the Apple menu, close Safari, and then launch it with the Shift key held down. If the message reappears, disconnect the computer from the Internet for long enough to erase that site from the browser history.
It's possible but unlikely that this issue is caused by adware; if so, download and run MalwareBytes for Mac, using a different web browser if needed.
(130905)
Don't use any kind of "anti-virus" or "anti-malware" product on a Mac. There is never a need for it, and relying on it for protection makes you more vulnerable to attack, not less.
Your problem is most likely not caused by malware. It's a Web scam that only affects your browser, and only temporarily. There are several ways to recover.
1. If you're running Safari 8.0.7 or later and you see a dialog with the message “Don’t show more alerts from this webpage,” check the box and click OK.
2. If no other tabs or windows are open, or if you don't mind losing those tabs or windows, force quit Safari. Relaunch it by holding down the shift key and clicking its icon in the Dock.
The following steps may enable you to keep the state of other open tabs and windows.
3. Press the key combination command-W to close the tab or window. A huge box will pop up. Press the return key and both the box and the page will close. If that doesn't happen, continue.
4. Press and hold command-W. You may hear repeating alert sounds. While holding the keys, click the OK button in the popup. A different popup may appear, which you can cancel out of as usual.
5. From the Safari menu bar, select
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Security
and uncheck the box marked Enable JavaScript. If the Preferences menu item is grayed out, go to Step 2.
After closing the malicious page, select from the menu bar
Safari ▹ Preferences... ▹ Privacy ▹ Remove All Website Data
to get rid of any cookies or other data left by the server. Open your Downloads folder and delete anything you don't recognize.
I think I have a virus or malware.
It is nor a virus, or even malware. It is simply a lame attempt to extort money from you. Ignore everything it says. Read Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popups and web pages.
Thank you all for the responses. It was an attempt to extort money and I ended up just calling the real Apple Support group and the technician walked me through the steps to eliminate the problem. My problem was I have never had to troubleshoot Safari in the past and was not sure exactly how to get rid of the problem.
All good now though...thanks again.
Safari locked up with message to call what seems like a fake Applecare number
