How to identify scams like "Access To This Apple Device Has Been Blocked"
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is "Access To This Apple Device Has Been Blocked"?
Our team has inspected this warning and found that it is a typical technical support scam where users are urged to call a fake number. Usually, scams of this type use fear and urgency to trick unsuspecting individuals. Websites displaying messages like those on this scam site should be ignored and closed.
"Access To This Apple Device Has Been Blocked" scam overview
In this scam, users are presented with a fake message (supposedly from Apple System Security Center) claiming that a serious threat, such as a Trojan Spyware, linked to an application named "Ads.fiancetrack(2).dll" has been detected.
The scam page falsely asserts that access to the device has been blocked for security reasons and urges the user to contact a specified phone number (+1 (833) 456-0476), purportedly belonging to Apple's USA head office.
In reality, this is a tech support scam where cybercriminals attempt to deceive users into believing that their device is compromised/infected. Upon calling the provided number, scammers may request remote access to the victim's computer. In such cases, scammers could infect computers with malware, access sensitive data, and perform other malicious actions.
A couple examples of scams where threat actors aim to lure users into providing remote access to their computers are TeamViewer and UltraViewer scams.
Additionally, scammers behind scams like the one described in this article may try to trick users into purchasing unnecessary software or services. They may also try to extract sensitive information like credit card details, passwords, social security numbers, ID card information, or other details.
Thus, it is important to ignore and report such fraudulent attempts immediately.
| Name | Access To This Apple Device Has Been Blocked tech support scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Mac malware, Mac virus |
| Fake Claim | A computer is infected with Trojan Spyware |
| Fake Tech Support Number | +1 (833) 456-0476 |
| 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), torrent file downloads. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites, loss of private information. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, scammers behind this scam exploit fear and urgency. They aim to trick unsuspecting individuals into believing that there are security threats on their devices. Usually, such scams aim to trick individuals into contacting fraudulent support numbers, leading to potential financial loss, compromise of personal information, or computer infections.
It is important for users to be careful, recognize fraudulent alerts, and avoid interacting with suspicious pages (including pop-ups displayed by them).
More examples of similar scams are "Apple Security Services", "AppleCare - Official Security Alert", and "Your Apple May Be Not Safe!"
How did I open a scam website?
Users can be lured into visiting scam websites via deceptive emails (links within such emails), fake pop-ups, misleading advertisements, notifications from dubious web pages, and ads displayed by adware. Another common tactic is to utilize sites associated with rogue advertising networks (e.g., torrent sites or illegal movie streaming pages).
In other cases, scammers use compromised or fake social media accounts (or similar channels) to trick users into opening scam websites.
How to avoid visiting scam websites?
Do not agree to receive notifications from shady websites and avoid interacting with ads (or other content) displayed on web pages of this kind. Also, avoid clicking ads generated by adware. Furthermore, do not click links in suspicious emails or messages. Download apps from official websites and app stores.
Regularly scan your computer for unwanted applications, keep all apps (and the operating system) up to date, and use a reputable security tool. If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.
Appearance of "Access To This Apple Device Has Been Blocked" scam (GIF):
Text in the fake warning:
Apple System Security Center
App: Ads.fiancetrack(2).dll
Threat Detected: Trojan Spyware
Address IP: -
Location: -
ISP: -Access to this Apple Device has been blocked for security reasons.
Contact Apple (USA head office):+1 (833) 456-0476
Instant automatic malware removal:
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Quick menu:
- What is Access To This Apple Device Has Been Blocked tech support scam?
- 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 Windows.
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 Windows) - 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a pop-up scam?
A pop-up scam is a deceptive tactic where fraudulent messages or alerts appear on a user's screen (or on the visited untrustworthy website), often claiming false security threats or urgent issues with their device.
What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?
These scams aim to trick users into taking immediate action, such as calling a fake tech support number or downloading malicious software, leading to financial loss or compromising their personal information.
Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?
Users are often directed to scam websites through deceptive emails containing malicious links, fake pop-ups, misleading advertisements, notifications from dubious web pages, and ads shown by adware. Scammers also exploit rogue advertising networks found on torrent sites or illegal movie streaming pages or use compromised or fake social media accounts to deceive users into accessing scam websites.
Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?
Combo Cleaner scans each website you visit and detects and flags malicious ones, including those designed to deliver pop-up scams. Upon detection, immediate warnings are issued, and access to such sites is restricted to protect users.
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