Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads POP-UP Scam (Mac)
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads"?
"Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads" is a deceptive message that is used by scammers who promote products or services that supposedly block advertisements (pop-ups). Ironically, users are redirected to websites that display this message by various adware-type applications.
These apps are categorized as potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) and usually feed users with ads and also gather browsing-related data.
Pop-up ads are a common problem for many users, however, only trustworthy and official software should be used to prevent display of these ads. "Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads" is simply a scam employed to trick users into purchasing ad-blockers (or similar software) or paying for services that supposedly remove pop-up ads.
Furthermore, scammers behind this website claim to be from the official Apple Support Center, however, Apple (and its support center) has nothing do to with this scam. Scammers often use names of well-known companies to give the impression of legitimacy.
We advise that you do not contact these people via the telephone number they provide ("+1877-898-8593"). Simply ignore the contents and close this website. If it prevents you from closing it, use Activity Monitor and terminate (kill) the browser process, or simply restart the Mac. Do not reopen the closed session the next time you run your browser - this will return you to the deceptive website.
As mentioned above, deceptive websites used to deliver the "Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads" message are visited due to potentially unwanted apps (in this case, adware-type). Typically, users install PUAs inadvertently. Once installed, they feed users with intrusive advertisements (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups,etc.).
They employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site, thus giving these ads the ability to conceal underlying content. Do not click these ads, since they often redirect to untrustworthy (or even potentially malicious) websites. Some might be capable of running scripts that trigger download/installation of other unwanted applications.
Another disadvantage of installed PUAs is that they collect browsing-related information including URLs of visited websites, search queries, IP addresses, geo-locations, and so on. The data is shared with third parties who misuse it to generate revenue. These third parties might be cyber criminals.
Thus, having PUAs installed might cause privacy/browsing safety issues, redirects to untrustworthy websites, and lead to identity theft. We recommend that you uninstall all unwanted apps immediately.
Name | "Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads" virus |
Threat Type | Mac malware, Mac virus |
Symptoms | Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites. |
Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads. |
Damage | Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information. |
Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
This Mac Is Not Secure, Your MacOS 10.12 Sierra Is Infected With 3 Viruses!, and Spyware Were Found On Your Mac are just some examples of other similar scams. Cyber criminals attempt to extort money from people by offering products (software) or services (technical support, and so on).
PUAs that cause redirects to websites of this type are usually very similar. Most are promoted as 'useful apps' capable of providing various features, tools, etc., however, only developers benefit from these apps. Typically, PUAs deliver none of the functionality promised or any other value.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
These apps are usually installed through untrustworthy/deceptive intrusive ads or when software developers employ a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". They use this method to deceive people into installing PUAs together with regular software (usually freeware).
Developers hide these bundled programs in "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings/options of the installation or download set-ups. Information regarding the presence of these apps is not properly disclosed. In most cases, however, skipping installation steps without checking settings/options is the main reason for installation of unwanted applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Download software from official/trustworthy sources and avoid using third party software downloaders, installers, and other sources (that cannot be trusted to download legitimate software). Furthermore, do not skip software installation steps and ensure that you have checked all available "Custom/Advanced" (and other similar) settings/options and deselected any unwanted offers.
Bear in mind that not all ads are legitimate. If you are consistently redirected to untrustworthy websites (gambling, pornography, adult dating, etc.), check installed programs on your operating system and extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins on your browser. Uninstall all unwanted/suspicious entries immediately.
If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Text presented in "Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads" scam website:
Apple Support Center
Welcome To Apple Support Center
Getting too many Pop-up ads, No need to worry, we'll help you.
Call Toll-free
+1877-898-8593
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is "Getting Too Many Pop-up Ads" virus?
- How to identify a pop-up scam?
- How do pop-up scams work?
- How to remove fake pop-ups?
- How to prevent fake pop-ups?
- What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
How to identify a pop-up scam?
Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.
While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.
Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:
- Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
- Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
- Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
- Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
- Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.
Example of a pop-up scam:
How do pop-up scams work?
Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.
Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.
How to remove fake pop-ups?
In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.
In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.
How to prevent fake pop-ups?
To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.
To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS.
What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?
This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.
- If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
- If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
- If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
- Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.
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