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"Your system is infected with (3) Viruses” when opening a Safari tab

This message came up when I was opening a new window in the Safari browser and makes all sorts of threats if I don’t call Apple Support at 1-866-726-**** and follow Virus removal procedure immediately. I’m always wary of these things and just want to know if anyone else has run across this particular warning.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Mar 20, 2018 9:38 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 20, 2018 9:40 AM

It's spam. Read here > Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


Your Mac is ok.

1,218 replies

Mar 20, 2018 9:40 AM in response to atlantaferg

It's phishing.

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Force Quit Safari ( command + option + esc keys).Then restart Safari holding the Shift key. If you still have problems Empty Caches (Safari menu > Preferences > Privacy > Remove all website data. (This will also remove history if you do not want to remove History open Safari Preferences > Advanced and check mark “Show Develop Menu” then choose “Empty Caches” from Develop Menu ).

Then go to Safari Preferences > Extensions and check there. If there is an extension delete it.

If the problem persists download and run MalwareBytes. Malwarebytes was developed by one of our own colleagues here in ASC and is about the most proven anti-malware software for Mac.

May 22, 2021 9:51 AM in response to sinxai

sinxai wrote:

I wanna menu for date viruses


Per Apple: Delete spam calendars and events on iPhone

If you get unwanted calendar invitations or event notifications, you might have accidentally subscribed to a spam calendar. To remove the events, delete the calendar subscription.


How to remove calendar spam on your iPhone

  1. Open the Calendar app.
  2. At the bottom of the screen, tap Calendars.
  3. Look for a calendar that you don't recognize. Tap the More Info button  next to that calendar, then scroll down and tap Delete Calendar.

If this doesn't fix the issue, delete the calendar subscription in Settings:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Calendar > Accounts. Or if you use iOS 13, tap Passwords & Accounts > Accounts instead.
  3. Tap Subscribed Calendars.
  4. Look for a calendar that you don't recognize. Tap it, then tap Delete Account.

Learn more


Mar 20, 2018 9:50 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

Been there, done that, several times before. This is a new one though and I’m just checking to see if anyone else has run into this particular brand of phishing. Usually phishers don’t just target a single machine or person, they “cast” a bunch of machines to see if they get a bite.... that’s why it’s called “phishing”. There are no “click here to fix” or links to click on.... just a phone number to call.

May 22, 2021 9:20 AM in response to 100penn

100penn wrote:

I have Notifications in my calendar warning of viruses and to tap on a website to fix the viruses


Per Apple: Delete spam calendars and events on iPhone

If you get unwanted calendar invitations or event notifications, you might have accidentally subscribed to a spam calendar. To remove the events, delete the calendar subscription.


How to remove calendar spam on your iPhone

  1. Open the Calendar app.
  2. At the bottom of the screen, tap Calendars.
  3. Look for a calendar that you don't recognize. Tap the More Info button  next to that calendar, then scroll down and tap Delete Calendar.

If this doesn't fix the issue, delete the calendar subscription in Settings:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Calendar > Accounts. Or if you use iOS 13, tap Passwords & Accounts > Accounts instead.
  3. Tap Subscribed Calendars.
  4. Look for a calendar that you don't recognize. Tap it, then tap Delete Account.

Learn more


May 22, 2021 9:03 PM in response to Darrennashville

Darrennashville wrote:

I got malware that infected my calendar, how do I get rid of it


Per Apple: Delete spam calendars and events on iPhone

If you get unwanted calendar invitations or event notifications, you might have accidentally subscribed to a spam calendar. To remove the events, delete the calendar subscription.


How to remove calendar spam on your iPhone

  1. Open the Calendar app.
  2. At the bottom of the screen, tap Calendars.
  3. Look for a calendar that you don't recognize. Tap the More Info button  next to that calendar, then scroll down and tap Delete Calendar.

If this doesn't fix the issue, delete the calendar subscription in Settings:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Calendar > Accounts. Or if you use iOS 13, tap Passwords & Accounts > Accounts instead.
  3. Tap Subscribed Calendars.
  4. Look for a calendar that you don't recognize. Tap it, then tap Delete Account.

Learn more


Sep 16, 2021 11:35 AM in response to rgriercpa

rgriercpa wrote:

I have the same issue


Some advertiser has used a pop-up advertisement to try to profit from you, and they've managed to convince you of a lie, and the advertiser is probably now offering a sketchy and probably privacy-invasive app that you don't really need for a problem that you don't really have? That issue?


Default rules for web browsing:

  • All pop-up advertisements are scams, until proven otherwise.
  • All advertisement containing the word "hacker" or "virus" are scams, until proven otherwise.
  • Add-on security tools can be and unfortunately too often are scams, or are privacy-invasive. (One of the better-known "security" tools around for macOS was selling its users' personally-identified web browsing and web-purchasing history.)


Read the following link for some of the many scams around, one of which you've seemingly here encountered:

Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


If you're a CPA as could be inferred from your nick, you're an obvious target for phishing efforts and attempts to defraud, as are your customers.



Apr 21, 2018 12:49 PM in response to atlantaferg

I got it too, but it didn't give me a phone number, it has a pick button to "Scan Now" (I didn't pick it), then another pop up saying "Immediate action required" "we have detected a trojan virus (e.tre456_worm)osx) on your mac. Press OK to begin repair process.


I did neither - i exited Safari and cleared my history.

Hopefully this will be the end of it. I will try a force quit, just in case. Thanks

Feb 25, 2021 4:27 AM in response to that-one_girl

that-one_girl wrote:

this just recently happened to me and it says I have over 15 viruses on my phone and it says I need to download an app to clean it and I don’t even know if it’s true or secure


What you were reading was and is categorically, totally, completely, utterly rubbish.


Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support



Websites cannot scan your device, your Mac, your Windows system. Were that depth of storage scan permissible, that’d be a catastrophe. (On iPhone and iPad, locally-installed apps can’t scan either!) With the sort of storage access necessary to run an actual malware scan, the scammers wouldn’t need to try to scam you into loading their dreck apps for them or into exposing your information to them. If they could sift through everything (they can’t!) they’d just upload (steal) it all. But they can’t. But they can cause you fear—or titillation, or disgust, or curiosity, or the self-doubt arising from gaslighting—to get you to act against your own interests.

Jun 18, 2022 3:50 AM in response to Ky_B6cz

Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/en-us/HT204759

Jan 13, 2022

To report a suspicious SMS text message that looks like it's supposed to be from Apple,

take a screenshot of the message and email the screenshot to reportphishing@apple.com.

~ To report spam or other suspicious emails that you receive in your iCloud.com, me.com,

or mac.com Inbox, send them to abuse@icloud.com. (..Look through the reference link..)


..Avoid getting excited, those are just classic scam messages;

testing your resolve to ignore them, but do not answer them!!


Jun 18, 2022 9:09 AM in response to Ky_B6cz

Ky_B6cz wrote:

I have a virus on my MacBook Pro


No, you do not have a “virus” or a “hacker” here.


You absolutely do not.


Your Mac is fine.


You have an advertisement showing up from some website. An advertisement. An advertisement making wild, bogus, incorrect, and hilariously wrong claims. As too many advertisers do. You can choose to believe the utter rubbish that the advertiser is claiming in that advertisement, or you can do what most of us do and ignore the advertisement. Your choice.


Why is this advertisement rubbish? If a website could scan your Mac, they could upload everything they want. Malware scans are very intrusive. The scammers wouldn’t need to pretend to scan, they could directly swipe everything of value. Browsers very deliberately work hard to prevent local system access outside of very limited cases. Which is why the scammers are trying to scam you into giving them far more access—the scammers can’t easily get that access otherwise. Websites cannot scan your Max, iPhone, iPad, Windows, etc.


If Apple had detected Mac malware (your Mac already runs Apple anti-malware), the problem app would be removed using built-in anti-malware tools; in addition to the built-in Gatekeeper blocking unsigned apps and most sketchy apps from being added, XProtect and MRT and Notarization can identify and remove problem apps.


Apple doesn’t use these pop-ups, and doesn’t call you—not unless you initiated a call to Apple, and requested a callback.


But do feel free to call that telephone number and get scammed. Because by the time that call finished, your security and/or your finances are going to be in trouble.


Here are some of the many scams: Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support


Oh, and here is how to take a screenshot on your Mac: Take a screenshot on your Mac - Apple Support


I’m re-posting the image with the contact info obscured:



Aug 19, 2022 5:02 AM in response to tacoryn

Like a bad actor Genie, who floats out of the bottle.


Mythical characters, can only have power over us

only if given that strength. A matter of Will, helps..



..This thread is a 74-pg long record breaker. The proper..

Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

..answer(s) are repeated, on every page; & many times.


"Your system is infected with (3) Viruses” when opening a Safari tab

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