Are you trying to remove “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple”? What you are dealing with is an intrusive redirect virus, and we will provide the necessary information to get rid of it in this article.
“Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple”
“Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” is a redirect screen that blocks you out of your Mac and claims that your computer and data have been compromised. “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” can also infect iPhones. Its main goal is to call a fake tech support number. There, you will likely encounter scammers disguised as Apple support, whose main goal is to ask you to pay a lot of money just to fix your Mac. If you have fallen victim to “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple”, be warned that it is a scam, in fact. However, you should also know that it could bring viruses to your Mac or it could be appearing on your browser because of the presence of such on your Mac. Read this article to learn more about “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” plus see steps on how to remove it entirely.
Threat Summary
| Name | Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple |
| Type | Tech Support Scam / PUP for MacOS and iOS |
| Short Description | “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” is a tech support scam likely introduced on your browser because of an unwanted program installed on your Mac/iPhone. |
| Symptoms | A redirect to an annoying web page that locks your browser and keeps downloading a file, called “This is VIRUS. Your computer is blocked”. |
| Distribution Method | Likely spread by being automatically added to the computers of victims as a result of opening a virus link or downloading the image file. Uses a vulnerability to infect Macs. |
| Removal Guide for iPhone | iPhone Virus – How to Remove It |
| Detection Tool |
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“Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” – How Did I Get It? What Is Its Impact?
The main method via which the “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” could infect your computer is likely that you may have received it via adware or browser hijacker that Is currently installed on your Mac. Such potentially unwanted applications or PUA may be spread onto your Mac via a variety of methods. One of those methods is likely to add them by thinking they are legitimate apps aiming to help with your browser or something else with your Mac. Another way that such PUAs end up on your computer is likely via being added as extras or optional offers to the installers of other free apps you may have recently downloaded on your Mac. They are not easily detected since they often hide themselves in the “Advanced” or “Custom” installation modes of the free app you are trying to install.
Either way, when the “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” – causing program is on your computer it may begin to perform the following actions:
- Change the settings of your web browser.
- Drop files.
- Obtain permissions to freely access all aspects of your Mac.
- Slow down your Mac with a lot of different advertisements.
- Obtain your Mac’s System Information.
- Change your browser settings to cause a lot of different types of advertisements and redirects on it.
One of the redirects to which this app leads you to is “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple”, that looks like the following:
The page also displays a pop-up that contains the following text:
VIRUS ALERT FROM APPLE
This computer is BLOCKED
Do not close this window and restart your computer
Your computer’s registration key is Blocked.
Why we blocked your 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 computer for your security.
Contact apple helpline to reactivate your computer.Apple Support Alert
Your System Detected Some unusual Activity
It might harm your computer data and track your financial activities.
Please report this activity to +86672265620
According to recent reports, this page keeps downloading the same file over and over again. It is a “TextEdit” file that is called “This is a VIRUS.Your computer is blocked“. It looks like the following on your Mac:
This endless download seems to block you out of your Mac calling the tech support numbers provided in it seems to be your only option. Do not do that, because you are calling scammers and their main goal is to ask you to pay them hundreds of dollars to fix your problem. The main angle the scammers use against users is the possible idea that the scam could be to falsely accuse users and hopefully scare them off into calling the tech support number. The scam may be associated with many different numbers as it is part of a large-scale tech support scheme. Among the fake tech support numbers associated with this Mac/iPhone scam are +1-855-550-6155 and +8667265620. And bear in mind that there are a lot of scams, just like it out there with the only difference being that they tend to spread via multiple different types of ways, like via e-mail, unwanted software that shows ads on your computer, but pretends to be a legitimate program or a browser extension.
Protection Tip! Always look at the domains that are associated with alert messages that appear in your browser to tell you that you need to contact Apple support. The official Apple Support domain is https://support.apple.com/. Any other variants different than this should be treated with caution. If you happen to see a suspicious browser notification again, please feel free to visit SensorsTechForum and use our online chat form to tell us more about the problem. We will send you a reply with all the precaution measures you should take to protect your Mac.
Not only this, but the simple call to them could cost you a lot of money since these numbers are generally not toll-free as they claim. Instead, we recommend that you read the steps below to get rid of this annoying Mac adware and stop the “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” once and for all.
Remove “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” from Your Mac
The “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” can be removed if you shut down the currently open browser causing your downloads from its hotkeys. Then, to completely remove it, we strongly recommend that you follow the step-by-step removal guide below, if you know the app that is causing these redirections and ads. If you struggle to find this app and want a full and effective removal, then the fastest method to go for according to experts is to use an advanced malware removal program. Such professional cleaner software is designed to quickly detect and remove all viruses and unwanted files from your Mac to clean it from them safely and permanently. After doing the removal, you can reset your web browser and you should have removed “Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple” completely.
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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Steps to Prepare Before Removal:
Before starting to follow the steps below, be advised that you should first do the following preparations:
- Backup your files in case the worst happens.
- Make sure to have a device with these instructions on standy.
- Arm yourself with patience.
- 1. Scan for Mac Malware
- 2. Uninstall Risky Apps
- 3. Clean Your Browsers
Step 1: Scan for and remove Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Quick and Easy Mac Malware Video Removal Guide
Bonus Step: How to Make Your Mac Run Faster?
Mac machines maintain probably the fastest operating system out there. Still, Macs do become slow and sluggish sometimes. The video guide below examines all of the possible problems that may lead to your Mac being slower than usual as well as all of the steps that can help you to speed up your Mac.
Step 2: Uninstall Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple:
4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6. Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7. Remove any leftover files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple 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:
1. Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2. Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3. Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 3: Remove Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple – related extensions from Safari / Chrome / Firefox
Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple-FAQ
What is Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple on your Mac?
The Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple threat is probably a potentially unwanted app. There is also a chance it could be related to Mac malware. If so, such apps tend to slow your Mac down significantly and display advertisements. They could also use cookies and other trackers to obtain browsing information from the installed web browsers on your Mac.
Can Macs Get Viruses?
Yes. As much as any other device, Apple computers do get malware. Apple devices may not be a frequent target by malware authors, but rest assured that almost all of the Apple devices can become infected with a threat.
What Types of Mac Threats Are There?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the types of threats that can currently infect your Mac can be rogue antivirus programs, adware or hijackers (PUPs), Trojan horses, ransomware and crypto-miner malware.
What To Do If I Have a Mac Virus, Like Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most Mac threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them. One recommended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you.
There are many Mac anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter for Mac is one of the reccomended Mac anti-malware apps, that can scan for free and detect any viruses. This saves time for manual removal that you would otherwise have to do.
How to Secure My Data from Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and Apple devices will become significantly more safe against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our MacOS Virus section, where you can also ask any questions and comment about your Mac problems.
About the Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific macOS issue.
How did we conduct the research on Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of Mac threats, especially adware and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs).
Furthermore, the research behind the Pornographic Virus Alert from Apple threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by Mac malware, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.