scam alert

pjcprods wrote:

True! The grammar should have given it away!

The point is, an effective defense strategy is a multilayered one, and that example didn't make it through even the first epithelial layer. You were probably 99.9 percent sure before even asking here—something 99.9% of Mac users probably wouldn't even have thought to do. Everyone else is getting scammed, thousands of times, every day.

If you had taken the bait and clicked the alluring "Scan Now" button, the next screen would have shown a mildly entertaining animation—designed to appear as though it's actually doing something, which it isn't, because it can't—followed by recommendations to download and install one or more products that claim to fix, "clean", "optimize" or "protect" your Mac. You would need to click again (layer #2). Installing them would ask for your login credentials (layer #3).

At some point you will probably be asked to accept the junk's "Terms and Conditions" (layer #4). I'm somewhat surprised that I have yet to encounter a single example of Mac malware that does not do exactly what those Terms say it will do. Admittedly they are written to obscure their true intent (to extract money from you while indemnifying their creators of any wrongdoing) but anyone taking the time to actually read them would bail out at that point (layer #5). Those Terms are written so that you wouldn't have a leg to stand on when your personal data (bank accounts, credit cards, Apple ID etc) are really stolen.

That's just one hypothetical example. For a general discussion read Effective defenses against malware and other threats.

Excerpt:

• Beware spontaneously appearing, unsolicited popups demanding immediate action. Think before you click.
  • ...
  • If you encounter a popup, text message, email, or phone call indicating that your Mac is infested with some ick or that you need to take immediate action lest dire circumstances ensue, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.

Yes, it's a scam.

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Since Apple will not pop-up anything in Safari, and no one can scan your drive from a browser, you can bet that 100% of these are criminals behind it, and it is a SCAM. No matter how much it may appear from Apple, even right down to active links that appear to go to Apple destinations until you roll over them and see the tiny URL directing you to quicksand.

"Traces of 1 phishing/spyware were found on your Mojave with."

One day those geniuses will learn how to compose a grammatically correct sentence. Today is not that day.

The only truth in the SCAM.

Personal and banking information are at risk.

pjcprods wrote:

Appreciate the reply! As I thought, a scam! Some of these are so legit looking!

Thanks

You're welcome.