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Do not trust the "Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" scam

Also Known As: Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired pop-up
Type: Mac Virus
Damage level: Medium

What is the "Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" scam?

"Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" is an iPhone user targeting scam run on deceptive websites. Its aim is to trick users into installing untrustworthy software by making false claims about their devices being infected.

Schemes of this type typically endorse various PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications), and some can even proliferate malware. Users seldom access scam sites intentionally; most enter them via mistyped URLs, or redirects caused by rogue webpages, intrusive advertisements, or installed PUAs.

Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired scam

"Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" scam in detail

This scam claims that users' iPhones have been infected and may be severely damaged unless a "protection tool" is installed. The scheme details the threats the fake infection poses and lists repair steps. It must be emphasized that all of the claims made by the "Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" scam are false, and trusting it can result in serious issues.

Potentially unwanted applications in general

Online scams endorse fake anti-viruses and various other PUAs. Unwanted apps can have harmful abilities, e.g., force-opening unreliable and malicious websites, running intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), modifying browsers (browser hijackers), and collecting sensitive data. To summarize, the presence of unwanted software on devices can lead to system infections, severe privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. Therefore, it is crucial to eliminate all suspect applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.

Threat Summary:
Name Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired pop-up
Threat Type Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus
Fake Claim Scam claims users' iPhones have been infected with malware
Related Domains alert-cupertino.web[.]app
Detection Names (alert-cupertino.web[.]app) Emsisoft (Phishing), ECertego (Suspicious), Full List (VirusTotal)
Promoted Unwanted Application Various dubious apps
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.
▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac
To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Online scams in general

"MALWARE DETECTED Action Required", "Hackers hijacked your calendar, infected your battery", and "Device Infected After Visiting An Adult Website" are some examples of scams similar to "Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired".

The Internet is rife with misleading, deceptive, and malicious content. Furthermore, they use a wide variety of scam models to generate profit at user expense. It is strongly advised to exercise caution when browsing.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

PUAs are distributed using the "bundling" technique - packing programs with unwanted/malicious additions. Hence, rushed downloads/installations (e.g., used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system.

Intrusive advertisements are used to proliferate PUAs as well. Once clicked on, the ads can execute scripts to make downloads/installations without user consent. Some PUAs have "official" promotional/download pages.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

It is advised to research software and download only from official/verified sources. Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and freeware websites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks, and other third-party downloaders - commonly offer bundled and harmful content.

When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, explore possible options, use the "Custom/Advanced" settings to opt-out from additional apps, tools, etc. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to highly questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).

In case of encounters with such advertisements and/or redirects, the system must be inspected and all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - immediately removed from it. 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 the "Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" scam:

Pop-up:

 

SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired.


[OK]

 

-----------------

Background page:

 

Apple Security
Sep 6, 2021

 

42 Viruses have been detected on your iPhone. Hackers hijacked your calendar and try to steal your iCloud Photos.

 

You need to resolve the problem as soon as possible or your device may be damaged and your personal data will be exposed to hackers.

 

Please follow next steps to clean your device:

 

Step 1: Tap the button below to install the protection tool from AppStore.

 

Step 2: Open the application and run the cleaning procedure to remove the malware and repair your phone remotely.

 

[Install]

 

Detected by Apple inc.

Appearance of the "Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired" scam's background page:

Malware detected! iPhone need to be repaired scam background page

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".

remove pop-ups and clear cache step 1

Check if the "Block Pop-ups" and "Fraudulent Website Warning" toggles are enabled. If not, enable them immediately. Then, scroll down and tap "Advanced".

disable pop-ups and clear cache step 2

Tap "Website Data" and then "Remove All Website Data".

disable pop-ups and clear cache step 3

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT 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 seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

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:

mac browser hijacker removal from 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 adware-related files and folders

Mac Go To Folder step

Click the Finder icon, from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Mac removing related files and folders - step 1Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 2Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

Mac go to /Library/Application Support - step 2

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 3Check for adware generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 1

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

Mac go to ~/Library/LaunchAgents - step 2

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 exact same string.

Mac removing related files and folders - step 4Check for adware generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 1

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

Mac go to /Library/LaunchDaemons - step 2

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.

Mac removing malware related files and folders - step 5Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure 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 the 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 its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 1

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.

Mac remove malware with Combo Cleaner - step 2

After removing files and folders generated by the adware, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove malicious extensions from Internet browsers

Safari iconRemove malicious Safari extensions:

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 1

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

Removal of malicious extensions in Safari - step 2

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 regular browser operation.

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Google Chrome logoRemove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 1

Click the Chrome menu icon Google Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Google Chrome - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox logoRemove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 1

Click the Firefox menu firefox menu icon (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Removal of malicious extensions in Mozilla Firefox - step 2

  • If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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About the author:

Tomas Meskauskas

Tomas Meskauskas - expert security researcher, professional malware analyst.

I am passionate about computer security and technology. I have an experience of over 10 years working in various companies related to computer technical issue solving and Internet security. I have been working as an author and editor for pcrisk.com since 2010. Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn to stay informed about the latest online security threats. Contact Tomas Meskauskas.

PCrisk security portal is brought by a company RCS LT. Joined forces of security researchers help educate computer users about the latest online security threats. More information about the company RCS LT.

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Removal Instructions in other languages
Malware activity

Global malware activity level today:

Medium threat activity

Increased attack rate of infections detected within the last 24 hours.

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