Screen with warning of Virus and malicious applications pop up screen

Hi,

I got this message today on my Mac OSX, is it legit? Should I call apple support? I called and someone with Indian accent answered. Thank you!

User uploaded file

MacBook, iOS 10.3.3

Posted on Mar 14, 2018 7:01 AM

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47 replies

Sep 5, 2018 3:11 PM in response to swrs

I got the same screen, and at the same time files were downloading on my desktop. It started when I used Safari to search for a recipe, and clicked on one. The files downloading were titled "unknown" and probably had a suffix of .download. I had to force quit safari in order to stop them downloading, then I went into finder to move all the files (thousands of them) to trash. Then I emptied the trash. That got rid of the files, and I shut down for a while. When I booted up again, everything was ok until I opened Safari again. Then it started all over again. So the problem has to be in, or triggered in, Safari. How do I get rid of it?

May 9, 2018 3:14 AM in response to swrs

I got the same message this morning, while backing up my iPhone. Thankfully I noticed the IP address was a fake address and closed the open window. Just thought apple should know about it, before it goes viral and or becomes an issue.

User uploaded file

Your system is infected with 3 viruses!Wednesday, 9 May 2018 11:01

Your Mac is infected with 3 viruses. Our security check found traces of 2 malware and 1 phishing/spyware. System damage: 28.1% - Immediate removal required!


The immediate removal of the viruses is required to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mac with OSX.
Personal and banking information are at risk.

To avoid more damage click on 'Scan Now' immediately. Our deep scan will provide help immediately!
1 minute and 38 seconds remaining before damage is permanent.

Jul 8, 2018 7:06 AM in response to wetherbyss

If that was a popup from a website that downloaded a file directly from them, that wasn't Flash you installed. At minimum, it was adware. Hopefully, nothing worse.


It's possible it may be easily removed by opening Safari's preferences and disabling any extensions you don't recognize. If that stops the ads, remove the disabled extension.


If the ads persist, download and run MalwareBytes for Mac. It will look for, and offer to remove any garbage it finds.


In the future, never, ever believe any site that tells you to update Flash, Java, that you need a codec, or anything else that comes from them. The one and only place to acquire Flash is from Adobe. Java from Oracle (for the latest version), or Java 6 from Apple.

Jul 18, 2018 6:33 AM in response to wetherbyss

Started when I got notice to update Flash player.

That wasn't Flash. You installed a newer forum of malicious adware that intentionally blocks access to certain sites. All in the attempt to prevent you from removing it and believing you need to call whatever crook's phone number is displayed.


In the future, never, ever believe any site that tells you to update Flash, Java, that you need a codec, or anything else that comes from them. The one and only place to acquire Flash is from Adobe. Java from Oracle (for the latest version), or Java 6 from Apple.


Restart the Mac in Safe Mode (restart and hold down the Shift key). This will prevent all but the most basic OS functions from loading. From there, you'll be able to download and run MalwareBytes for Mac. It will look for, and offer to remove any garbage it finds.


The screen may flicker or draw with strange looking horizontal strips as Safe Mode boots. That's normal since the OS is using a very generic video driver instead of the one meant for your graphics hardware.

Mar 14, 2018 7:37 AM in response to swrs

Sites CAN determine your Router's IP Address, and can use it to look up your rough location.

Sites CAN determine what Browser you SAY you are using (but this can be spoofed with settings in many Browsers).


NO ONE can determine whether your Mac has a Virus or other malware from outside your Mac. (It is somewhat difficult to determine from INSIDE, even when you go looking for them.) These are ALWAYS a SCAM.


Why would you ever trust an outsider who provides such unsolicited advice -- they will lie to you to get your money or access to your computer.


No legitimate company works this way -- they just shut off your account and just wait for you to contact them.

Jun 21, 2018 7:01 PM in response to swrs

I've gotten the same thing. It happens in Chrome as well as Safari. Force Quit is the only way out of it. Two differences:


In Chrome I get multiple files trying (and failing) to download. Keep getting the download indications at the bottom of the window.

In Safari it keeps opening finder windows.


The website this comes from has an .ml domain, which signifies the country of Mali.

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Screen with warning of Virus and malicious applications pop up screen

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