This Mac Computer Is BLOCKED POP-UP Scam (Mac)

What is This Mac computer is BLOCKED?

"This Mac computer is BLOCKED" is just one of many fake messages (virus alerts, errors, warnings, etc.) that appear on untrustworthy websites. Note that users do not often visit these websites intentionally - they are redirected to them by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) that are installed inadvertently.

PUAs cause redirects to untrustworthy websites (such as those that display fake messages), collect data, and deliver ads.

When arriving at this untrustworthy website, it displays a fake virus alert message, supposedly sent by Apple.

It states that the affected Mac computer's registration key is blocked for one or more of the following reasons: the registration key is illegal; there is some illegal software installed on the Mac; the computer is proliferating viruses; or; it has been hacked and being used from an undefined location.

The scammers claim that the computer is blocked for your safety, and to prevent data theft or other possible problems, you must contact Apple 'security support' via the the telephone number provided ("1-855-634-6777", supposedly toll free). Note that Apple has nothing to do with this scam and the number will not connect you with Apple support.

These warnings and alerts of illegal registry keys and viruses are simply attempts to trick users into paying the scammers by purchasing products or services that will supposedly activate your computer or resolve other problems. In this situation, you should simply ignore the message. Close the website that caused this fake message and do not return to it.

If you cannot close it, use Activity Monitor to terminate the entire browser process, or restart your computer. Do not restore the previous session when you reopen your browser, since this will also reopen the deceptive website/s that originally caused the issue.

Potentially unwanted applications often lead users to websites on which these fake messages are displayed. PUAs also deliver rogue advertisements, such as coupons, banners, surveys, and so on. Clicking them can result in redirects to untrustworthy sites, or some might execute scripts designed to download other PUAs.

Furthermore, most of these ads are displayed through tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site and conceal underlying content. Some PUAs collect data such as IP addresses, search queries, URLs of visited websites, geo-locations, keystrokes, and so on.

This information might contain personal or sensitive details that are shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who misuse private data to generate revenue. These data tracking apps often cause privacy issues, browsing safety problems, or even identity theft.

Threat Summary:

Name	"This Mac computer is BLOCKED" 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.

Apple Support Alert POP-UP, VIRUS ALERT FROM APPLE POP-UP, Your Mac Might Be Infected! are just some of the many similar scams prevalent online. Most these fake messages attempt to trick users into paying for services or products that supposedly help to resolve system problems.

PUAs are similar and, typically, are promoted as offering 'useful' tools or features. In this way, many users are tricked into downloading and installing them. Note, however, that PUAs provide none of the functionality promised and only cause problems.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Potentially unwanted applications can be downloaded from their official websites, however, they more commonly infiltrate systems without direct permission. Software developers proliferate them using intrusive ads and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of unwanted applications with regular software.

Developers are not honest enough to disclose information about installation of potentially unwanted apps, and thus most are concealed within "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings of the download/installation processes.

Furthermore, many users click various ads and skip download or installation steps. This behaviour leads to inadvertent installation of potentially unwanted apps.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

Users are responsible for their online and computer safety. To avoid PUA installations, carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes (check the "Advanced", "Custom", and other similar settings) and decline offers to download or install additional (bundled) applications. You are advised to use official and trustworthy sources when downloading software.

Avoid using third party downloaders, since developers monetize them by promoting rogue software. Do not use unofficial websites (or other untrustworthy sources).

If you encounter ads that redirect you to untrustworthy websites (such as pornography, gambling, adult dating, and so on), check installed extensions, add-ons, and plug-ins on your browsers, and programs on your computer. Remove all unwanted/unknown extensions and programs 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 "This Mac computer is BLOCKED" scam:

VIRUS ALERT FROM APPLE

This Mac computer is BLOCKED

 

Do not close this warning or restart your Mac
Your Mac's registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your Mac Computer?
The Mac's registration key is illegal.
This Mac is using pirated software.
This Mac is sending virus over the internet.
This Mac is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this Mac for your security.
Contact Apple helpline to reactivate your Mac.

 

Apple Security Tollfree: 1-855-634-6777

Appearance of "This Mac computer is BLOCKED" scam (GIF):

Another variant of "This Mac computer is BLOCKED" tech support pop-up scam:

Text presented in this variant:

VIRUS ALERT FROM APPLE
This Mac computer is BLOCKED

Do not close this warning or restart your Mac
Your Mac's registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your Mac Computer?
The Mac's registration key is illegal.
This Mac is using pirated software.
This Mac is sending virus over the internet.
This Mac is hacked or used from undefined location.
We block this Mac for your security.
Contact Apple helpline to reactivate your Mac.
 
Apple Support Alert
Your System Detected Some Unusual Activity.
It might harm your Mac's data and track your financial activities.
Please report this activity to +1-877-290-1999

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 "This Mac computer is BLOCKED" 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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