This article has been created to show you how you can remove the AppleCare and Warranty Scam from your Mac and how you can make sure to stop seeing these pop-ups to appear in the future.
The “AppleCare and Warranty” scam is the type of message which is a clear indicator that scammers might be targeting you for all you’ve got. It is most likely caused by a potentially unwanted program that may cause such redirects to your browser and the end goal is to scare you into calling the tech support number, provided by the scammers. If you see the “AppleCare and Warranty” scamming messages to appear on your Mac, you should be aware that your information may be at risk and you should read this article to have a clear perspective on what this scam is, what causes it to appear and how you can get rid of it, plus try to prevent it from appearing on your Mac in the future.
Threat Summary
| Name | AppleCare and Warranty Scam |
| Type | Fake Tech Support Scam for Mac OS |
| Short Description | Aims to trick victims into calling a tech support number by decieving them that there is a problem with their interent security. |
| Symptoms | Shows a fake web page, pretending to be from the official AppleCare website. |
| Distribution Method | Likely via a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) |
| Detection Tool | See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Combo Cleaner | User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss AppleCare and Warranty Scam. |
AppleCare and Warranty Scam – How Did I Get It
The message of the Applecare and warranty may appear on Mac machines which are either compromised by a potentially unwanted app that is installed or by simply being added to the computers of victims as a result of visiting a website, causing a redirect to the scamming message.
If added by an unwanted program, bear in mind that the AppleCare and Warranty scam is just the beginning, since such potentially uwnanted programs may also show other risky websites to your Mac, like:
Malicious sites that may infect your Mac.
Websites that are focused on showing you fake PayPal, Facebook, Gmail and other login pages in order to steal your usernames and passwords.
AppleCare and Warranty Scam – More Information
The AppleCare and Warranty scam is what experts refer to in the trade as “tech support scam”. The web page which users are redirected to resembles apple support and provides the following message:
Image Source: Microsoft.com
Message from Image:
AppleCare and warranty
Internet Security Damaged !!!
Call Help Desk at 1-888-621-0834
Suspicious activation detected on, your IP address due to harmful virus installed in your computer.
This virus can also damage the firewall security which can result in data loss or hard drive crash.
Call immediately on the number provided, to rectify the issue.
We have disabled your computer to stop further damages to your computer. Do not restart your computer or shutdown. It may result in data loss. Please call us immediately to fix your security and to update the service agents of your computer software.
MAC Has Detected a Malicious Virus On Your System
Do Not Shutdown Or Restart Your Computer
Contact Our Certified MAC Technicians For Immediate Assistance.
When we checked the number itself, we have established that it has been reported in association with multiple scam attempts on victims. Here is one report from several of the accumulated reports shared by victims on 800notes(https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-888-621-0834):
RH
Never call this #. It is associated with a “Network Security” scam malicious pop-up.
These types of reports are partucularly concerning because of the fact that such scams often tend to as victims to pay money or give the crooks access to their Mac. If you see the AppleCare and Warranty pop-up, do not cold call the number provided as it may result In a severe loss of information or funds. You can guess that it is a scam if the tech support “employees” ask you to pay a large sum of money in order to fix your Internet Security problem which does not exist at all.
Remove AppleCare and Warranty Scam you’re your PC
If you want to remove the AppleCare and Warranty Scam from your computer, you can try and follow the removal methods underneath to eliminate any suspicous apps that display those scamming messages on your Mac. If you fail to find such and you still see similar pop-upsto the AppleCare and Warranty one, we suggest what any security expert would suggest and that is to try and remove this scam by using an advanced anti-malware software. It will help you to remove the AppleCare and Warranty scam by scanning for the software causing it and then eliminating it from the roots plus ensuring that your Mac is protected against future intrusive software as much as possible.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
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- Guide 1: Get rid of AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Mac OS X.
- Guide 2: Remove AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Google Chrome.
- Guide 3: Erase AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 4: Uninstall AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 5: Delete AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Safari.
- Guide 6: Eliminate AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Internet Explorer.
Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall AppleCare and Warranty Scam and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove AppleCare and Warranty Scam via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove malware from your Mac
You can use the tool we recommended above in order to remove AppleCare and Warranty Scam:
Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Delete AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the AppleCare and Warranty Scam will be removed.
Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate AppleCare and Warranty Scam from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
AppleCare and Warranty Scam FAQ
What is AppleCare and Warranty Scam?
AppleCare and Warranty Scam is classified as a potentially unwanted app for Mac. It appears like a normal app, but it may cause unpleasant pop-ups and redirects on your Mac.
Be aware, that AppleCare and Warranty Scam may be able to affect the browsers Safari, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Edge and Opera. It may they perform unwanted activities on your Mac.
Such can turn out to be showing advertisements of all types, slowing down your Mac's performance and even infecting your Mac with other viruses by showing you dangerous ads.
Is AppleCare and Warranty Scam a Virus?
No, but it is just as risky. The AppleCare and Warranty Scam object is not entirely a virus but it is still as dangerous as a virus for your Mac and your information. The main reason for that is because AppleCare and Warranty Scam can use cookies and other tracking technologies that may obtain personal information from your Mac while you are browsing.
It may also cause dangers and may lead to risky websites, such as:
- Phishing sites.
- Web pages that are scam.
- Sites that may contain viruses.
These are the main reasons why threatening is considered by experts to be indirectly dangerous to your Mac.
Can my Mac get virus?
The answer to this question is "yes". Unfortunately it opened happens that Mac devices become infected with different types of malware, adware and other threats. This causes a lot of problems for both companies and users.
How did I get AppleCare and Warranty Scam?
AppleCare and Warranty Scam could be spread to Mac computers via several methods. One of those methods is via the installers of third party apps. This technique is called software bundling.
Also, AppleCare and Warranty Scam adware could be included in the installer steps of an app you may have downloaded for your Mac from a third party website. Search app could be a media player or some other free software you may have tried to recently install.
You may have missed AppleCare and Warranty Scam, because it could be hiding in one of the install steps or could be offered as a "free extra" or an "optional offer".
How to remove AppleCare and Warranty Scam from my Mac?
By removing its core files. To get rid of AppleCare and Warranty Scam from your Mac, security experts strongly advise to scan it with a professional anti-malware app for Mac.
An anti-malware security app has the capability of scanning all of the areas in your Mac were AppleCare and Warranty Scam could be residing.
It will also make sure that AppleCare and Warranty Scam is permanently gone from your Mac and that your Mac is safe in the future.
How to protect my Mac from viruses?
To protect your Mac from all sorts of virus threats, you can can minimize the risk of getting a virus in the first place. This is why we strongly recommend that you take the following steps for protection on your Mac below:
1. Register for a VPN service of your choice.
2. Clear the cookies that are on your web browsers and uninstall any browser extensions from them that you believe are suspicious.
3. Download and install reputable malware removal and protection software.
4. Always check if the website you're visiting has HTTPS instead of just HTTP in its address. This indicates that a site is secure.
5. Do not type any personal info on websites which are with low reputation or you can't trust.
6. Always check if the site you're visiting is the real web page at not a fake one by looking at the address bar. Many fishing websites that contain viruses change one or two letters in the main domain name of the site they're trying to mimic.
7. Always link your cell phone phone to your Bank Accounts, PayPal, Facebook, Gmail, Instagram and other accounts. This will allow you to see notification if somebody else logged in from your account and makes account hijacking nearly impossible.
8. Always find a way to backup all your important files regularly. You can save them on a USB stick or use Cloud backup services, like Google Drive. iDrive, Onedrive and others.
