APPLE SECURITY BREACH – an online scam that opens your Mac's camera automatically

Apple security breach scam is a popup that might be encountered after accessing a malicious website on the internet. Upon entry, visitors are shown a brief notification that allegedly comes from Apple support – it is claimed that the security system has crashed and that personal information such as pictures is being transferred. The fake alert then proceeds with a statement that claims a full computer lockout and urges users to call the alleged tech support at 1-800-711-9001 (can vary) to resolve the seemingly frightening situation.
Crooks behind the Apple security breach scam are trying to manipulate visitors by intimidating them and scaring them. Besides displaying false claims, the website also shows the camera view, and opens a fake FaceTime login screen. No matter what you do, never call the provided phone number, as the attackers might ask you to grant permission to access your Mac remotely and steal your credentials or install data-tracking malware.
Simply ignore the fake virus alert and close down the website displaying it immediately. While what the message said is completely falsified, persistent redirects to scam and phishing sites might indicate adware infection, so this should be investigated. For more details, please check the bottom section below.
| Summary | |
|---|---|
| Name | Apple Security Breach |
| Type | Scam, Mac virus |
| Distribution | Adware and other PUPs |
| Targeted OS | macOS, iOS |
| Affected browsers | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari |
| Phone numbers |
1 800 711 9001 |
| Removal | To eliminate adware from your Mac, you should rely on detailed instructions we provide below |
| Further steps | If you found malware or other adware on your system, use FortectIntego to ensure that all the components are eliminated and the OS runs as well as before |
Usually, APPLE SECURITY BREACH pop up shows up in the browser when some potentially unwanted program (PUP) gets installed on the device. Typically, redirects to the tech support scam website are triggered by adware.[1] This ad-supported application can modify Chrome’s, Firefox’s, or Safari’s settings in order to open new browser tabs and show a fake message.
The Apple security breach scam website claims that there is an iOS security crash that might compromise your personal data and pictures. Likewise, the victims are urged to call via toll-free 1 800 711 9001 number to Apple Support:
Warning!!!
APPLE SECURITY BREACH!!
iOS SECURITY CRASH!!!
Transferring Your Personal Data and Pictures.
Call Apple Support (Toll-Free) 1-800-711-9001

The criminals also encourage to call 1-800-711-9001 immediately to connect with Apple Technical Support for installing the Protection Software several times. However, it’s just one of the phone numbers used by scammers. People report that they received similar pop-ups with the following numbers:
- 1-844-749-1071
- 1-800-457-5916
- 1-800-235-66
Note that Apple security breach popup might display a dozen other different phone numbers and warn about other serious issues. However, we do not suggest trusting the offenders since your computer is not corrupted. This is merely a redirect to a phishing site that is most likely to be used to swindle money from you by purchasing an expensive and useless antivirus tool.

Instead, you should get professional security software like SpyHunterCombo Cleaner to uninstall the adware and remove APPLE SECURITY BREACH pop-up. The elimination procedure will take only several minutes, and shortly after, you will no longer receive any scam messages. Besides, FortectIntego can be used to perform further checks to ensure the system is working as well as before.
Additionally, if you call for the so-called Apple Technical Support, the criminals might ask you to let them access your computer remotely to fix the “iOS security crash.” In reality, they would probably infiltrate other high-risk computer infections to encourage you even more to purchase various third-party antivirus tools.
Note, this Apple scam message is not real, and the original support number is not provided elsewhere than on the original website. Therefore, if you do not want to receive any fake pop-ups, start APPLE SECURITY BREACH removal right now. You can find the manual elimination instructions just below this article.

Apple security breach scam targets iPhone users too
APPLE SECURITY BREACH pop up might also show up on your iPhone too. The mobile version of the tech support scam usually targets the Safari web browser. However, the tech support scam site displays a similar warning message:
Warning!!
APPLE SECURITY BREACH!!
IOS SECURITY CRASH!!
Transferring your personal data and pictures.
Call Apple Support (Toll-Free) 1-866-855-3442
Call 1-866-855-3442 immediately to connect with Apple Technical Support for installing the Protection Software.
Just like the desktop version of the scam, this one also uses a bunch of fake support phone numbers, including 1-800-556-2901, 0800-310-1061, 0-800-652-8775, etc. It goes without saying that you should not trust this pop-up. Just leave this website and reset Safari to stop redirects to the scam website. If you still receive this fake alert, you should use mobile antivirus software to remove APPLE SECURITY BREACH virus automatically.

Redirects to scam website begin after silent infiltration of adware
Most of the potentially unwanted programs are infiltrated on your computer when you recklessly download free applications. Developers of adware programs bundle their bogus products with regular software to benefit from people who rush to finish the download/installation process.
Once the user aims to install regular programs with Quick or Recommended settings, they are unable to identify the potentially unwanted program which is bundled together. Therefore, you should always install software only with Advanced or Custom parameters.
Additionally, it is necessary to do not skip steps and search for any suspicious marks, which might permit the installation of adware[2]. If you find any, un-tick them right away and employ a reliable security system to examine your computer for cyber threats.
Get rid of APPLE SECURITY BREACH scam
Start APPLE SECURITY BREACH removal by downloading a powerful antivirus tool that will be able to detect all potentially unwanted programs and their components on your computer. You can pick one from the list below since they are professional tools widely used by IT professionals.
Once you download it from verified developers, scan your system thoroughly, and remove APPLE SECURITY BREACH virus. Additionally, you can follow the instructions below, which will help you not to get confused during the elimination procedure.
Experts from BedyNet.ru[3] warn that any attempts to uninstall the adware yourself might lead to further PC damage. Likewise, do not try to delete the components of the potentially unwanted program without any assistance.
Uninstall from Windows
Uninstall from Windows 10/8:
- Type Control Panel into the Windows search box and open the result.
- Under Programs, select Uninstall a program.

Uninstall from Windows 7/XP:
- Click on Windows Start > Control Panel (Windows XP users should click on Add/Remove Programs).
- In Control Panel, select Programs > Uninstall a program.

Remove the unwanted program:
- In the Programs and Features window, look for any recently installed suspicious entries, select them, and click Uninstall.
- If User Account Control appears, click Yes to confirm, then complete the removal.

Delete from macOS
Remove the unwanted application:
- From the menu bar, select Go > Applications.
- In the Applications folder, look for any suspicious entries, then drag them to Trash (or right-click and pick Move to Trash).

Delete leftover files and folders:
- Select Go > Go to Folder.
- Enter /Library/Application Support and remove any suspicious folders related to the unwanted program.
- Repeat the same check in the /Library/LaunchAgents and /Library/LaunchDaemons folders, deleting any suspicious entries.

- Finally, empty the Trash to permanently remove the leftovers.
Reset Internet Explorer
Remove dangerous add-ons:
- Open Internet Explorer, click on the Gear icon (IE menu) on the top-right corner of the browser
- Pick Manage Add-ons.
- You will see a Manage Add-ons window. Here, look for suspicious plugins. Click on these entries and select Disable.

Change your homepage if it was altered:
- Open IE and click on the Gear icon.
- Select Internet Options.
- In the General tab, delete the Home page address and replace it by your preferred one (for example, Google.com).
- Click Apply and then select OK.

Delete temporary files:
- Press on the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
- Under Browsing history, click Delete...
- Select relevant fields and press Delete.

Reset Internet Explorer:
- Click on Gear icon > Internet options and select Advanced tab.
- Select Reset.
- In the new window, check Delete personal settings and select Reset.

Remove from Microsoft Edge
Delete unwanted extensions from MS Edge:
- Select Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and pick Extensions.
- From the list, pick the extension and click on the Gear icon.
- Click Remove.

Clear cookies and other browser data:
- Click on the Menu (three horizontal dots at the top-right of the browser window) and select Settings > Privacy, search, and services..
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. (apart from passwords, although you might want to include Media licenses as well, if applicable) and click on Clear.

Restore new tab and homepage settings:
- Click the menu icon and choose Settings.
- Then find On startup section.
- Click Remove next to any suspicious startup page.
Reset MS Edge if the above steps did not work:
- Press on Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click on More details arrow at the bottom of the window.
- Select Details tab.
- Now scroll down and locate every entry with Microsoft Edge name in it. Right-click on each of them and select End Task to stop MS Edge from running.

Instructions for Chromium-based Edge
Delete extensions from MS Edge (Chromium):
- Open Edge and click select Settings > Extensions.
- Delete unwanted extensions by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and site data:
- Click on Menu and go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search and services.
- Under Clear browsing data, pick Choose what to clear.
- Under Time range, pick All time.
- Select Clear now.

Reset Chromium-based MS Edge:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- On the left side, pick Reset settings.
- Select Restore settings to their default values.
- Confirm with Reset.
- This will disable extensions and reset startup pages but will not delete bookmarks, saved passwords, or browsing history.

Remove from Mozilla Firefox (FF)
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click on the Menu (three horizontal lines at the top-right of the window).
- Select Add-ons.
- In here, select the unwanted extension and click Remove.

Reset the homepage:
- Click three horizontal lines at the top right corner to open the menu.
- Choose Settings.
- Under Home, set your preferred homepage and new tab settings.
Clear cookies and site data:
- Click Menu and pick Settings.
- Go to Privacy & Security section.
- Scroll down to locate Cookies and Site Data.
- Click on Clear Data...
- Select Cookies and Site Data and Temporary cached files and pages, then click Clear.

Reset Mozilla Firefox
If clearing the browser as explained above did not help, reset Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Mozilla Firefox browser and click the Menu.
- Go to Help and then choose Troubleshooting Information.

- Under Give Firefox a tune up section, click on Refresh Firefox...
- Once the pop-up shows up, confirm the action by pressing on Refresh Firefox.

Remove from Google Chrome
Delete malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome, click on the Menu (three vertical dots at the top-right corner) and select More tools > Extensions.
- In the newly opened window, you will see all the installed extensions. Uninstall all suspicious extensions related to the unwanted program by clicking Remove.

Clear cache and web data from Chrome:
- Click on Menu and pick Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, select Clear browsing data.
- Select Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, as well as Cached images and files.
- Click Clear data.

Change your homepage:
- Click menu and choose Settings.
- Look for a suspicious site in the On startup section.
- Click on Open a specific or set of pages and click on three dots to find the Remove option.
Reset Google Chrome:
If the previous methods did not help you, reset Google Chrome to eliminate all the unwanted components:
- Click on Menu and select Settings.
- In the Settings, scroll down and click Advanced.
- Scroll down and locate Reset and clean up section.
- Now click Restore settings to their original defaults.
- Confirm with Reset settings.

Delete from Safari
Remove dangerous extensions:
- Open Safari, click Safari in the menu at the top-left of the screen, and select Preferences.
- Go to the Extensions tab, look for any suspicious entries, and click Uninstall to remove them.

Clear history and website data:
- Click Safari in the menu and pick Clear History.
- Set Clear to all history and confirm with Clear History.

Reset Safari:
- Click Safari in the menu and select Preferences > Advanced.
- Enable Show Develop menu in menu bar.
- From the menu bar, click Develop and select Empty Caches.

Did this guide help?
Be the first to comment