Do not trust the YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED fake virus alert
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
How to remove apps that promote a page with YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED fake virus notification?
What is YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED scam?
There are many scam websites designed to display a fake virus alert, a pop-up window that suggest that user's device is infected. These websites often are designed to look like official Apple pages and usually contain a "Remove Virus" button linking user to a supposed security application. Simply said, such pages are designed to trick a user into downloading and installing some potentially unwanted application (PUA).
This particular page says that user's iPhone has been compromised and a browser is completely infected with a Trojan that got installed via some recently visited websites. Also, it tells that if a user will not remove the supposedly detected threats with an app that can be downloaded via the provided link, then user's credit card details, social network accounts and browsing history will be stolen by cyber criminals. In conclusion, websites like this one are designed to scare the user into downloading some PUA that supposed to remove threats that do not exist. It is worthwhile to mention that it is not common for users to visit such pages on purpose. Quite often such pages get opened via other shady pages, deceptive ads or by PUAs that users have installed on their device (or browser).
PUAs can be designed not only to promote shady pages but also to collect IP addresses, entered search queries, addresses of visited pages, geolocations and/or other browsing data or even sensitive, personal details. What is worse, gathered data could be monetized by selling it to third parties (potentially cyber criminals), or misused for other malicious purposes. Also, PUAs can be designed to generate advertisements (coupons, banners, surveys, pop-ups, etc.). It is common that their ads are designed to promote untrustworthy pages or even cause unwanted downloads, installations by running certain scripts.
| Name | YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED pop-up |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Fake Claim | iPhone has been compromised and infected with a Trojan |
| Related Domains | datinglocate[.]com, thesingledate[.]com, myhotsingles[.]com, flirter-er[.]com, sexyfinders[.]com, ok-yourlovers[.]com, erotclub[.]com, flirty-dates[.]com, adultlockator[.]com, systemtechnotify[.]com, oc-systemnotice[.]com, vpnprotectors[.]com, protect-os[.]com, ios-protector[.]com, reportsbrowser[.]com, browsereport[.]com, app-reports[.]com, systemmobi[.]com, reportsystem24[.]com, safesystemapp[.]com, tech-notify24[.]com |
| Symptoms | Your Mac becomes slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you are redirected to dubious websites. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers, torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious 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. |
More examples of scam pages that are similar to this one are moderation-support[.]network, securitycheck[.]network and spaceshellvpn[.]com. All of them are disguised as official Apple pages, however, none of the official Apple pages have anything to do with such scams. If a browser opens websites of this kind regularly, then it is very likely that it has some PUA installed on it, or an app of this type is installed on the operating system.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
One of the most popular ways to distribute PUAs is to include them in download and/or installation setups of other programs as additional offers. This distribution method is called "bundling". Users download and/or install PUAs together with other programs when they do not decline unwanted offers. Usually it can be done via "Advanced", "Custom" or other settings (or by unticking certain checkboxes) of download and/or installation setups. Sometimes PUAs are distributed via advertisements by designing them to run certain scripts. Users download and/or install PUAs by clicking those ads.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
Software should not be downloaded from unofficial websites, through torrent clients, eMule and other Peer-to-Peer networks, third party downloaders, etc., or installed via third party installers. It should be downloaded only official pages and via direct links. Download and/or installation setups that have settings should be always checked for offers to download and/or install PUAs and those offers should be declined. Additionally, it is recommended not to trust ads on dubious websites. Those ads could open untrustworthy sites or cause unwanted downloads, or even installations. Also, there should not be any unwanted, suspicious extensions, add-ons or plug-ins installed on a browser or programs of this kind installed on the operating system. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.
Text in the pop-up window:
YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
Immediate Action Is Required!
OK
Screenshot of the background page:
Text in this page:
Apple Security Thursday 7 January 2021
We have detected that your browser is completely infected with Trojan Virus picked up on recently visited sites.
Immediate action is required, otherwise you will lose your bank card details, social network accounts, and your browser history will be stolen by hackers.Here is how you can solve this in just a few seconds (Step by Step)
Step 1: Tap REMOVE VIRUS to install trusted Security App from the App Store.
Step 2:Open the app and follow the instructions to protect your device.
Remove Virus
Another example of "YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED" pop-up scam:
Text within:
Pop-up window:
YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED
Immediate Action Is Required!
OK
Website background:
Important notice. Your device is currently infected with a Trojan virus!
17% of your phone's memory is under damage. Prompt action is required, otherwise, the device will become defective and all your data including accounts, photos, and payment data will be available to third parties.
Immediately install the trusted free app from the AppStore to remove the virus and secure your device.
Remove Virus
To enable pop-up blocking, fraudulent website warnings, and remove web browsing data in mobile Apple devices, follow these steps:
First, go to "Settings", and then scroll down to find and tap "Safari".
Check if the "Block Pop-ups" and "Fraudulent Website Warning" toggles are enabled. If not, enable them immediately. Then, scroll down and tap "Advanced".
Tap "Website Data" and then "Remove All Website Data".
Instant automatic Mac malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited three days free trial available.
Quick menu:
- What is YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED scam?
- STEP 1. Remove PUA related files and folders from OSX.
- STEP 2. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue add-ons from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:
Potentially unwanted applications removal:
Remove potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:
Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select "Applications". In the applications folder, look for "MPlayerX", "NicePlayer", or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.
Remove your iphone has been compromised pop-up related files and folders:
Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware generated files in the /Library/Application Support folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/Application Support
In the “Application Support” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, “MplayerX” or “NicePlayer”, and move these folders to the Trash.
Check for adware-generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents folder:
In the Go to Folder bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents
In the “LaunchAgents” folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by adware - “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, “kuklorest.update.plist”, etc. Adware commonly installs several files with the same string.
Check for adware-generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons folder:
In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons
In the “LaunchDaemons” folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example “com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist”, “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”, "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist”, “com.avickUpd.plist”, etc., and move them to the Trash.
Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:
If you have followed all the steps in the correct order you Mac should be clean of infections. To be sure your system is not infected run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file double click combocleaner.dmg installer, in the opened window drag and drop Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates it's virus definition database and click "Start Combo Scan" button.
Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide, otherwise it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.
After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.
YOUR IPHONE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED pop-up removal from Internet browsers:
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Remove your iphone has been compromised pop-up related Safari extensions:
Open Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".
In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.
Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Remove your iphone has been compromised pop-up related Mozilla Firefox add-ons:
Open your Mozilla Firefox browser. At the top right corner of the screen, click the "Open Menu" (three horizontal lines) button. From the opened menu, choose "Add-ons".
Choose the "Extensions" tab and look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Remove" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Mozilla Firefox browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Remove your iphone has been compromised pop-up related Google Chrome add-ons:
Open Google Chrome and click the "Chrome menu" (three horizontal lines) button located in the top-right corner of the browser window. From the drop-down menu, choose "More Tools" and select "Extensions".
In the "Extensions" window, look for any recently-installed suspicious add-ons. When located, click the "Trash" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Google Chrome browser - none are crucial for normal browser operation.
- If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.
Outstanding!
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