Apple Warning Alert: what it is and how to remove it
"Apple Warning Alert" is a pop-up message that might infiltrate Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser during users' web browsing sessions. Typically, it comes from phishing websites posing as Apple Support pages that are usually reached by visiting a malicious website.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Apple Warning Alert: summary
| Damage | Users who contact the provided number might be asked to allow remote access to their computer (sensitive information might be stolen, the malware installed); crooks might also ask to pay for the fake tech support services, resulting in money loss |
|---|---|
| Name | "Apple Warning Alert" |
| Type | Tech support scam |
| Category | Adware/Mac virus |
| Infection means | Third-party websites that host freeware or pirated software, fake updates |
| Targeted systems | macOS, Mac OS X, iOS |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 10 more facts
| Why am I seeing "Apple Warning Alert" warning? | Tech support scams can be encountered all over the internet. Even after sites get blocked, crooks open a new one, and redirect users to them with the help of adware or other malicious sites |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Symptoms | A fake virus warning in a browser tab and a support phone number shown on screen |
| Evidence | 8 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Imitates | Microsoft support |
| Domains | novirus[.]uk |
| Phone number | 800-796-7125 |
| First seen | 25 September 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
Is the Apple Warning Alert warning real?
- Address:
novirus[.]uk - Phone number:
800-796-7125
From our report of Sep 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Apple Warning Alert
- To stop "Apple Warning Alert" pop-ups, you need to delete adware and other PUPs from your device.
What the Apple Warning Alert scammers want
From our report of Sep 2019 · not reviewed since
Apple Warning Alert is a a tech support scam message that should be ignored
"Apple Warning Alert" is a pop-up message that might infiltrate Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser during users' web browsing sessions.
Typically, it comes from phishing websites posing as Apple Support pages that are usually reached by visiting a malicious website. In other cases browser, redirects might indicate the presence of adware - potentially unwanted software that specializes in showing users ads, deals, offers, coupons, and other commercial content, including scam sites like "Apple Warning Alert."
"Apple Warning Alert" pop-ups warn victims about errors, malware or other inconsistencies that were allegedly detected on their system and suggests calling bogus tech support at 1-800-796-7125 or another phone number.
Also, there are possibly thousands of URLs that host the scam content, so it will most likely always be different for each visitor. Nevertheless, the goal of "Apple Warning Alert" remains the same - extort money from unsuspecting users by making them pay for fake support services.
"Apple Warning Alert" virus is fake, although it tries to impersonate the real company behind Apple products. This is deliberately done in order to make users believe that the notification is genuine. Likewise, the website design is copied precisely - it is just another social engineering trick.
Similar tech support scams are all over the internet. Some examples include Pornographic virus alert from Microsoft, Microsoft Warning Alert, Virus Alert from Apple, AppleCare And Warranty, and multiple others. All of these fake pop-ups provide a tech support number that users should call, and, unfortunately, many do.
You should never believe what "Apple Warning Alert" pop-up says and call so-called "tech support," even if the message warns you of huge problems your delaying might cause. In most cases, "Apple Warning Alert" virus even plays an audio message stating that the victim's financial data is at risk as well as private information stored on the computer.
Just like the majority of tech support scam sites, "Apple Warning Alert" scam displays a deceptive message claiming that "The following information is being stolen…":
According to fraudsters behind "Apple Warning Alert," the issues caused by "virus" can only be solved by "certified experts," the victim needs to call. In reality, you will most likely be connected to a call center (usually located in India), and the person will most likely speak with an accent.
Numerous arrests have need made in recent years in India and other countries, as the scam schemes are running out of control - costing users millions of dollars each year.
Victims who had a chance to communicate with "Apple Warning Alert" authors say that they pretend to be very helpful as long as the victim follow their commands, however, as soon as the victim starts hesitating or asking questions, they get impatient and angry.
It is so because they do not like wasting time on victims who aren't willing to spend money or provide personal details or access to their computers for frauds.
Without a doubt, "Apple Warning Alert" should be ignored, and the web tab immediately shut down. In some cases, the scam might be shown in full screen, or the web page might be impossible to close. In such a case, you should call up the Activity Monitor to remove "Apple Warning Alert" message from your screen - simply shut down the browser process.
However, "Apple Warning Alert" removal might not yet be complete. If you are experiencing frequent browser redirects, pop-up ads, sponsored content an all sites that you visit, the slow operate of Safari or your Mac, you should check it for adware. The ad-supported software is usually installed from third-party sites that are not approved by Apple or after clicking on fake Flash or Java updates.
Novirus.uk security experts say that deceptive web pages can infect your computer even if you do not click anything in them.
- Financial data;
- Facebook logins;
- Email account logins;
- Photos stored on this computer.
From our report of Sep 2019 · not reviewed since
Do not click on anything when redirected to a tech support site and avoid the installation of adware with the help of these tips
You can run into the described pop-up message after visiting a questionable web page or clicking on an online ad.
However, it is also possible to reach such pages with the help of ad-supported software that causes a series of redirects through suspicious domains. One of such ads can lead you to a deceptive website displaying fake Apple Warning Alert.
To avoid installation of unwanted software on your Mac computer, choose Custom/Advanced settings for installation of new programs and make sure you download them from trustworthy sources only! Ideally, add software available on the App Store only. Programs from questionable web pages can infect your Mac with malware which could spy on your keystrokes, corrupt the installed apps, or download ones without your permission.
How to get rid of the Apple Warning Alert pop-up
The warning is a web page and your PC is not infected by it.
Close it, then remove what keeps bringing it back.
Which browser shows the ads?
Step 1: Remove novirus[.]uk from Chrome's notification list
Open More (the three dots) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications, or paste
chrome://settings/content/notificationsinto the address bar.Under Allowed to send notifications, open the menu next to
novirus[.]ukand choose Remove or Block, and do the same for any other address you do not recognise.Next to Not allowed to send notifications, click Add and enter novirus[.]uk, so the site cannot ask again. The menus are the same in Chrome on Windows 11 and Windows 10, and each Chrome profile keeps its own list.
Chrome on Windows 11: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Google Chrome
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.
Step 1: Remove novirus[.]uk from Edge's notification list
Edge stores its own permission list, separate from Chrome's, and it is often the browser behind these pop-ups on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications, or paste
edge://settings/content/notifications. Removenovirus[.]ukfrom Allowed, then add it under Not allowed to send notifications. Notifications that show the Edge logo come from this list.
Edge on Windows 11: Site permissions > All permissions > Notifications. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Microsoft Edge
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.
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.
Step 1: Remove novirus[.]uk from Firefox's notification permissions
In Firefox the permission sits in Settings > Permissions and data > Notifications (in older versions Privacy & Security > Notifications > Settings). Select
novirus[.]ukin the list, click Remove Website, and confirm with Save Changes.Firefox only shows these notifications while it is open, so if they stopped after closing Firefox, this is the browser to clean. The steps are the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Firefox on Windows 11: the Notification Permissions window. Full procedure with screenshots: Stop website notifications and pop-ups
Instructions for Mozilla Firefox
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.
Our tested steps are for Windows 11 and 10. For Safari (Mac), use the instructions below.
Instructions for Safari (Mac)
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.
Delete from macOS
Check for suspicious applications using the provided tutorial. If you can see questionable applications installed on your Mac, get rid of them without any hesitations as they can be causing "Apple Warning Alert" fake warnings during your browsing sessions.
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.
Then, whichever browser you use
Step 2: Close the page without touching its buttons
The warning is a web page, not Windows, so closing the browser ends it. If the page blocks the browser or goes full screen, press Esc first, then end the browser in Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Start the browser again without restoring the session.
Warning: Do not call
800-796-7125and do not let anyone connect to the PC: the people behind it sell fake repairs.On Windows 11 and Windows 10 the steps are identical.
Full procedure with screenshots: Close a frozen app (Task Manager, Force Quit) On uGetFix
Step 3: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
More removal instructions
For programs installed on the PC and older browsers. Open the one you need.
Remove "Apple Warning Alert" virus today
To clean your Mac, you have to remove the "Apple Warning Alert" virus immediately.
Also, we suggest checking for suspicious browser extensions in Safari, Chrome, and other web browsers installed on your computer. The guide provided below explains how to inspect your Mac OS X for suspicious files and delete them all.
As soon as you are done with Apple Warning Alert removal, make sure you stay away from questionable Internet pages and start following secure browsing rules ASAP. Remember that installing random apps from the Internet is never a good idea, especially if you are not an experienced PC user who can recognize dangerous software easily.
If you already contacted or paid money to scammers behind "Apple Warning Alert" message, you should immediately report the incident to your local authorities dealing with fraud - it would be the best to provide as much information as possible, such as the phone number that was called, the webpage the phishing content was shown on, etc. Additionally, you might get your money back if you contact your bank and explain the situation - the transaction might be reversed in some cases.
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.
Stream videos without limitations, no matter where you are
There are multiple parties that could find out almost anything about you by checking your online activity.
While this is highly unlikely, advertisers and tech companies are constantly tracking you online. The first step to privacy should be a secure browser that focuses on tracker reduction to a minimum.
Even if you employ a secure browser, you will not be able to access websites that are restricted due to local government laws or other reasons. In other words, you may not be able to stream Disney+ or US-based Netflix in some countries. To bypass these restrictions, you can employ a powerful VPN, which provides dedicated servers for torrenting and streaming, not slowing you down in the process.
Data backups are important - recover your lost files
Ransomware is one of the biggest threats to personal data.
Once it is executed on a machine, it launches a sophisticated encryption algorithm that locks all your files, although it does not destroy them. The most common misconception is that anti-malware software can return files to their previous states. This is not true, however, and data remains locked after the malicious payload is deleted.
While regular data backups are the only secure method to recover your files after a ransomware attack, tools such as can also be effective and restore at least some of your lost data.
Questions about Apple Warning Alert
Can I trust the people at 800-796-7125?
No. They may sound professional, know your Windows version and show you real system screens, but all of that is part of a sales script. The aim of the people behind 800-796-7125 is to get remote access to your PC and money from you, sometimes repeatedly through "refund" tricks.
Anything they found was invented or normal, such as warnings in Event Viewer that every Windows PC has. Hang up, do not let them connect and do not pay. If you have already done so, disconnect the PC from the internet and work through the steps for callers in this guide.
I paid the people at 800-796-7125. Can I get my money back?
Often yes, if you act quickly. Card payments can be disputed through your bank as fraud; call the number on the back of the card and explain that you paid a tech support scammer reached at 800-796-7125. Bank transfers are harder, but the bank may recall the payment if you call the same day.
Gift cards can sometimes be frozen if you contact the card issuer with the codes before they are spent. PayPal and similar services have their own dispute forms. Keep every receipt and message, and report the scam to the police or the national fraud office, since banks often ask for a report number.
Is Apple Warning Alert really from Microsoft support?
No. It is a web page made to look like a message from Microsoft support. Websites cannot scan your computer, see your files or know whether your antivirus is active. Real security warnings appear in Windows Security or in your antivirus program, not as browser pages with phone numbers, countdowns or prize wheels.
Close the page; nothing was installed just by seeing it. If you want to check, open Windows Security from the Start menu and run a quick scan. It shows the real status of your protection.
Is novirus[.]uk safe?
No. The site novirus[.]uk hosts Apple Warning Alert, a page that imitates Microsoft support to scare or lure visitors. Do not open it again to check; the content can change between visits and may include downloads. If you see it once, close the tab.
If it opens by itself, a notification permission, an extension or a redirecting site is sending you there; the steps in this guide remove each of these. You can report the address to your browser so that others get a warning page before it loads.
I called 800-796-7125. What should I do?
If you only talked, hang up and do not call back. The number 800-796-7125 belongs to the scammers behind Apple Warning Alert, not to Microsoft support. If you let them connect to your PC, disconnect from the internet, uninstall the remote access program they used and run a full and offline scan.
Change passwords you typed during the call from a clean device. If you paid or gave bank details, call your bank at once. Report the number and expect refund calls later; they are part of the same scam.
How do I check my real Microsoft support protection status?
Open the program itself, not a web page. For Microsoft Defender, open Windows Security from the Start menu and look at Virus & threat protection. For a paid antivirus, open its window from the Start menu or the system tray; subscription status and recent scans are shown there.
If you want to see your account or licence, sign in on the vendor's site by typing the address yourself. Pages like Apple Warning Alert never show your real status, whatever logo they use. Only the program knows.
Why do I keep seeing Apple Warning Alert?
Because something keeps sending your browser to it. The usual causes are a site allowed to show notifications, an extension that injects pages, or ads on sites you visit often. The sign reported, A warning that tells you to call 800-796-7125, appears whenever one of these triggers fires.
Remove unknown sites from the browser's notification list, delete extensions you did not install on purpose, and see whether the page returns. If it only appears on one particular site, that site's ads are the source and avoiding it or using the browser's built-in protection settings is the fix.
Why does Apple Warning Alert keep coming back?
Most often because a site has permission to send notifications, and those notifications lead to new scam pages. Remove notification permissions for unknown sites. Other causes are an adware extension, a browser that restores the previous session, or a site you visit often that shows such ads.
If the page appears outside the browser, a program on the PC is responsible; check Installed apps. If you cannot find the source, resetting the browser removes all of these causes at once.
I let the support agent connect to my PC. What now?
Disconnect from the internet first. Then open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, sort by install date and uninstall any remote access tool they asked you to install, such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer or a similar program. Run a full scan and the Microsoft Defender offline scan.
From another device, change the passwords you typed while they were connected, and the e-mail password in any case. If they saw your bank or you paid, call the bank. Keep notes for the police report.
Will Fortect remove Apple Warning Alert?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Apple Warning Alert, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Official Apple Support: Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams (read October 6, 2026)
- SearchSecurity: Social Engineering (read October 6, 2026)
- Federal Trade Commision: Tech Support Scams (read October 6, 2026)
- Narratively: This Indian Cop Took Down a Massive IRS Call-Center Scam (no longer online) (read October 6, 2026)
- 9to5mac: PSA: There's a new fake Flash Player installer for Macs, and it's nastier than usual (read October 6, 2026)