how do I find out if an "Apple" email about malware is legitimate?

Question

Level 1

6 points

how do I find out if an "Apple" email about malware is legitimate?

I received an email warning from maybe, apple, about malware that needed immediate attention. I need to find out how to determine whether this is legitimate. In my safari I went to the link they posted in the warning and got this announcement from: http://icloud-webserver-3.online/index-2.html

Your Computer is infected with an adware or malware causing you to see this popup.

This may happen due to obsolete virus protections.

To fix, please call Apple Support at 1-800-982-1346 immediately. Please ensure you do not restart your computer to prevent data loss.

Possibility of Data & Identity theft, if not fixed immediately.

I actually called the number, not thinking yet that it was a "bad" site....? How can I check out the legitimacy of this warning?

MacBook Pro, iOS 9.0.1, Mail in version 10.11.5

Posted on Jun 8, 2016 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

227,166 points

Jun 8, 2016 12:31 PM in response to momzilla

That's easy. It is NOT legitimate. It's a scam and it did not come from Apple.

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Answer 2

Esquared

Level 6

12,415 points

Jun 8, 2016 1:21 PM in response to momzilla

This will give you some perspective: Phony "tech support" / "ransomware" popups and web pages

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Answer 3

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,306 points

Jun 8, 2016 2:05 PM in response to momzilla

the wording the use of grammar on the email should be an indication it came from someone who is incapable of writing complete sentences. this is tell to spot these kinds of scams, businesses don't send out emails written like this, it's embarrasing to them, secondly you would NEVER get an email like this from Apple.

Possibility of Data & Identity theft, if not fixed immediately.

Reply