AppleCare Tech Support POP-UP Scam (Mac)

What is AppleCare Tech Support?

"AppleCare Tech Support" is another fake error message delivered by various deceptive websites. Most visitors arrive at these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive advertisements delivered by other rogue sites.

Research shows that many potentially unwanted applications infiltrate systems without permission. As well as causing redirects, they deliver intrusive advertisements and gather sensitive information.

The message states that users' computer are infected/damaged and must be repaired immediately. Therefore, they are encouraged to call Apple Support center via a telephone number ("+1-844-432-8844") provided and follow further instructions.

To make it even more believable, rogue sites start downloading hundreds of junk files, which crash the web browser (it stops responding). This is a scam and Apple has nothing to do with "AppleCare Tech Support". AppleCare is a legitimate tech support service provided by Apple.

In this case, however, cyber criminals misuse this name to trick gullible users into calling and paying for services that are not required. Remember, "AppleCare Tech Support" error is fake - your computer is probably safe and virus free. Therefore, you should ignore this message and never attempt to call the aforementioned telephone number.

The "AppleCare Tech Support" error can be removed simply by closing the web browser. Note that some rogue sites employ scripts that disable closing of browsing tabs/windows. In these cases, terminate the browser using Task Manager or simply reboot the system.

Do not restore the previous browsing session the next time you open the browser, otherwise the malicious websites will also be reopened.

As mentioned above, potentially unwanted applications deliver coupon, banner, pop-up, and other similar advertisements. To achieve this, developers employ tools that enable placement of third party graphical on any site. Therefore, intrusive ads often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, intrusive ads can lead to malicious websites and execute scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. Potentially unwanted applications are also notorious for information tracking.

They gather information relating to web browsing activity. Collected data (IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, etc.) typically includes personal details. In addition, data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and misused to generate revenue.

Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate all potentially unwanted applications immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"AppleCare Tech Support" 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. ▼ 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.

"AppleCare Tech Support" shares many similarities with dozens of other fake errors, such as PEGASUS SPYWARE ACTIVATED, E.tre456_worm_osx Trojan Virus, and many others. All claim that the system is damaged, however, these false claims are merely attempts to trick users into purchasing unnecessary services or software.

All potentially unwanted applications are generally very similar. By offering "useful features", these apps attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, the only purpose of all PUAs is to generate revenue for the developers.

Therefore, rather than delivering any real value for regular users, potentially unwanted applications pose a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some PUAs have official download/promotion websites, however, most infiltrate systems without permission, since developers promote them using "bundling" and intrusive advertising methods. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software/apps.

Developers are not honest enough to disclose these installations properly. Therefore, all PUAs are hidden within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes. Furthermore, many users are likely to rush and skip procedure steps and click various advertisements.

This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted applications. Therefore, the main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by potentially unwanted applications, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading/installing software. Remember that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, since developers invest a great deal of time and resources into their design, but they redirect to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and similar).

If you experience these redirects, uninstall all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, select "Custom/Advanced" settings and closely observe each step of the download/installation processes. Opt-out of additionally-included applications and decline offers to download/install them.

We recommend that you download software from official sources only, using direct download links. Third party downloaders/installers often include rogue apps, and thus these tools should not be used. The key to computer safety is caution. 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 "AppleCare Tech Support" pop-up:

WARNING!
MAC OS is infected with Viruses and other malicious applications. Viruses must be removed and system damage repaired. It is necessary to Call Apple Support +1-844-432-8844 and follow Virus removal procedure immediately, please proceed.
If you leave this site your Mac OS will remain damaged and vulnerable.
The removal of (3) Viruses is required immediately to prevent further system damage, loss of Apps, Photos or other files.
Traces of (1) Phishing/Spyware were found on your Mac OS X. Personal and banking information are at risk.
Please Call Apple Support +1-844-432-8844

Appearance of "AppleCare Tech Support" scam (GIF):

Files downloaded by deceptive websites that display "AppleCare Tech Support" pop-up:

Note that these files are harmless and you can safely delete them. Websites download them just to crash the web browser.

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:

• What is "AppleCare Tech Support" 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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