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Potential malware from FaceBook notification message.

Facebook notifications indicated I had violated some sort of cyber security or FB user guidelines and my account may be at jeopardy of being shut down. They don’t say what the violation was but there is a link to click on in order to challenge the allegation. Can my iPad Pro, running IOS 16.7.1 be infected with malware, spyware, etc. if the link is opened? Is there a diagnostic tool to check my iPad to determine if there is some sort of virus or malware installed on it? Thank you!

iPad Pro, iPadOS 16

Posted on Oct 13, 2023 7:24 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 14, 2023 5:42 AM

Likely scam. The message includes "bait" - a link - which will inevitably ask you to provide sensitive information.


If you are unsure of the source or provenance of a message or alert, do not respond to, or engage with, the message. Certainly do not, under any circumstances, attempt to contact anyone using the contact details that may have been provided within the message itself. If you need to verify the source of the message - such as perhaps being from Facebook you should attempt to make independent contact with Facebook support.


Most scam alerts are designed to scare the unwary into giving away sensitive information - or to fool you into doing something that you shouldn’t - usually to defraud you financially.



Providing that your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable.


For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk.


If you have given your personal details to a malicious website, this may be the cause of attempted fraud. If necessary, change account passwords (including your AppleID Password) if you suspect that they may have been compromised. If you have cause to believe that your AppleID has been compromised, follow the advice outlined here:

If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support


If you have exposed your Credit Card details, you may wish to contact the Card Issuer - who may cancel and reissue your Card as a precaution.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 14, 2023 5:42 AM in response to TJBurchett

Likely scam. The message includes "bait" - a link - which will inevitably ask you to provide sensitive information.


If you are unsure of the source or provenance of a message or alert, do not respond to, or engage with, the message. Certainly do not, under any circumstances, attempt to contact anyone using the contact details that may have been provided within the message itself. If you need to verify the source of the message - such as perhaps being from Facebook you should attempt to make independent contact with Facebook support.


Most scam alerts are designed to scare the unwary into giving away sensitive information - or to fool you into doing something that you shouldn’t - usually to defraud you financially.



Providing that your iPad has been kept up-to-date with system software updates, you should not be overly concerned for your iPad being directly compromised by malware. Due to the system architecture of iOS/iPadOS, unless jailbroken, your iPad is not susceptible to traditional malware infection per-se. However, as with all computer systems, there are still vulnerabilities and exploits to which you remain vulnerable.


For older devices, no longer benefiting from regular security updates, the risk of an unpatched vulnerability being exploited increases. Regardless of the installed version of iPadOS, there are useful mitigations that can be used to significantly reduce your exposure to risk.


If you have given your personal details to a malicious website, this may be the cause of attempted fraud. If necessary, change account passwords (including your AppleID Password) if you suspect that they may have been compromised. If you have cause to believe that your AppleID has been compromised, follow the advice outlined here:

If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support


If you have exposed your Credit Card details, you may wish to contact the Card Issuer - who may cancel and reissue your Card as a precaution.


Potential malware from FaceBook notification message.

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