They often promote other suspicious products or ask you to enter your credentials to win a prize. Once the PUP enters your system, you can notice an increase in random redirects to various less than reliable sites. Unfortunately, it’s an attempt to either steal private information or infiltrate other viruses. Often, these messages are accompanied with an urge to click on an appended link to take action. Scammers send fraudulent emails stating that Apple has detected viruses on your device. Here the the four signs you should look for to confirm the infection: Since there are many other cyber threats, like adware that might have also infected your iPhone or MacBook, it can be hard to tell whether your device has the Apple Security Alert scam virus. You get redirected to suspicious websites, annoying pop-ups with alert messagesĪnnoying unwanted ads, redirecting to shady websites, potential browsing tracking, possible loss of personal and financial information, and financial lossĤ signs of Apple security alert scam virus It’s important to note that these messages are fake – no hacking into your device was made, nor your data is at risk. This security alert is an unsolicited, fake pop-up error created to scare you into giving away your personal and financial information that would later be used by threat actors for financial gain. Users can get this alert by visiting a suspicious website or get redirected if they have a potentially unwanted program (PUP) installed on their Mac or iPhone. Follow the instructions provided by the antivirus.Īpple Security Alert is a fake pop-up message which states that your iOS device was hacked and that your personal information is at risk.Norton offers protection for macOS and iOS.
How to protect your device from pop-up scams? In this article, I will explain what is the Apple Security Alert, how it’s used for malicious purposes, and how to get rid of it from your iPhone or Mac device. If you receive one, you should neither click on its content nor continue following the indicated instructions – your device is not at risk. It’s important to mention that Apple doesn’t send security warnings and this alert is fake. While the message might seem convincing, it’s merely a scam that’s designed to swindle money from unsuspecting users, steal personal data, and spread malware. It claims that either their devices are infected with a virus or hacked, and sensitive information is at risk. Mac and iPhone users report encountering an Apple Security Alert pop-up.