Clicked "OK" on pop-up dialog box, could this give my iPhone malware?

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Level 1

10 points

Clicked "OK" on pop-up dialog box, could this give my iPhone malware?

Was browsing a site I frequently visit on my iPhone using Google Chrome for iOS and got redirected to a scam site that opened one of those "You won a free thing! Click OK to get it" pop-up browser dialog boxes. The screen was greyed out except for the dialog box so I couldn't close the browser tab, and closing Chrome and then re-opening it just brought me back to the same place. As I didn't know what else to do, I tapped "OK" to get the dialog box to close and then immediately closed the browser tab.

I did not provide any personal information, and I cleared my cookies, cache, etc. in Chrome after closing the tab. All I did was click "OK" on the browser dialog box so that I would be able to close the offending tab.

Am I safe, or was simply clicking "OK" in the dialog box enough to give my iPhone malware or to steal my personal information? I know iPhones are fairly virus-resistant, but also that this has changed in recent years. I'm still on iOS 10.3.3 if that would matter.

iPhone SE, iOS 10.3.3

Posted on Oct 25, 2017 11:51 AM

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Answer 1

Demo

Level 10

166,747 points

Oct 25, 2017 12:10 PM in response to zwstewart

You aren’t going to get a virus on your phone, install any malware, or give away personal information by doing that.

Force close the Chrome app by double tapping the home button. Swipe to find the Chrome thumbnail preview in the app switcher and then swipe it up and off the screen to close the app.

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Answer 2

Oct 25, 2017 12:10 PM in response to zwstewart

Wasn't a great idea to click OK, but you likely didn't introduce malware to your phone. I'd reboot your phone to be on the safe side. Press and hold BOTH the home and power buttons at the same time until you see the Apple Logo, then let go of both buttons and your phone will restart.

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Answer 3

zwstewart Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 25, 2017 12:12 PM in response to Demo

Thanks. I tried force closing Chrome at the time, but like I said, that didn't help which was why I hit "OK". Force restarted my phone just now for good measure, too. You definitely seem like you know your stuff (I actually ran into some of your earlier replies on similar topics when googling my problem earlier) so thanks for the reassurance.

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