Apple/Mac OS X ransomware is a new form of dangerous Apple malware that blocks access to a computer system alike the original FBI virus we discovered in 2012 that primarily targets Windows Operating Systems, this new version discovered by Jerome Segura (the senior security researcher at Malwarebytes) utilizes JavaScript to hijack internet browsers such as Safari and Chrome on Mac OS X. The new form of Apple ransomware alike previous cryptoviruses restricts access to Mac OS X by masquerading as a government department such as the FBI Cyber Department and displays a full screen browser window that claims “All activities of this computer have been recorded. All your files are encrypted. Don’t try to unlock your computer! Your browser has been blocked due to at least one of the reasons specified below” and lists crimes involving Copyright and Related Rights Law violations, distribution of prohibited pornographic content, neglectful use of a personal computer, and more. The browser window from the alleged FBI Cyber Department, or other authority then claims the user must pay a fine using credit services such as Moneypak by GreenDot or see jail time. The fraudulent penalty fine can range anywhere from $100, $300, to $500.
The FBI Cyber Department virus and ransomware similar this new form of Mac/Apple malware are very dangerous for reasons concerning the invasion of privacy and crimes involving credit theft, extortion, and identity theft. Furthermore, the claims made on the lock-screen are fraudulent; even if you did break the law, a user is given due process in court in the United States. The FBI will not block access to your computer system, they will arrest you. Paying the fine will not remove the Apple FBI virus or any form of ransomware. This computer virus is is no way associated with the FBI or any government department. To remove Macintosh/Apple ransomware and other forms of similar malware please use the instructions further below (it’s quite simple).
When infected with this form of the FBI virus or any other form of similar Apple malware the browser window will direct to an unspecified website that may try to appear like fbi.gov, though the domain is not actually the FBI. It will also be difficult to exit the browser window. When attempting to exit the browser window using Safari, alerts may prompt that say “YOUR BROWSER HAS BEEN LOCKED. ALL PC DATA WILL BE DETAINED AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURES WILL BE INITIATED AGAINST YOU IF THE FINE WILL NOT BE PAID.” These fraudulent alert messages should be ignored.
This notification actually actually uses JavaScript code to create a loop of 150 iframes. This means, if you wish to get rid of this Mac FBI virus and other forms of browser-locking malware you can click to leave the page 150 times and the browser lock will be released. The amount of 150 iframes is actually considered low, but it can be assumed this was done to to promote the stability of the infected internet browsers, as these iframes are loaded one after another and very quickly across multiple internet browsers.
Other references and terms used to describe this Apple ransomware include the “Your browser has been locked virus,” Apple fbi virus, FBI Cyber Department virus, and more.
How does the Mac FBI virus (ransomware) infect a computer?
The Mac FBI virus and similar malware can be contracted by visiting compromised websites, mostly relating to media content such as torrents, streaming videos, pornography, and file sharing. The allegations brought by this Mac browser-lock virus may seem relative to the point of intrusion though this infection can also be introduced by other means.
How to remove Apple ransomware (Mac OS X)
The Mac FBI virus attacks popular internet browsers using the Macintosh Operating System, including Apple Safari and Google Chrome, though Chrome has updated their browser to defeat this infection (*Update Google Chrome to avoid this infection). Clearing browser data and disabling java on affected internet browsers will remove the browser lock, however disabling Java is not always recommended. This ransomware does not install additional malware or cause additional privacy invading issues. To remove the FBI virus from Mac computers and other forms of ransomware please use the instructions below:
Safari Internet Browser:
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1. Open Safari. Select Safari from the top menu and click Reset Safari.
2. A screen will appear that says “Are you sure you want to reset Safari?” Make sure all items on the list are selected (history, reset top sites, etc.), and click the Reset button.
For video instruction to remove Mac OS X ransomware please see below:
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Thank you so much
If this happens on your iPhone……go to “settings”, then click on “safari”… Then there’ll be an option to “clear history and web data”. Click on that. It will wipe your search history and you should be able to load a fresh page without any pop up messages. Worked for me!
Awesome. Thank you! This solved my troubles.
This worked thank you
Can you show me how to remove it from an iphone?
Can anybody help.I have an FBI warning page that appears when I open Safari.I have tried a Force Quit but this does not resolve the problem.Can anybody give me the “Idiots Guide” to fixing this problem as I am the least technically astute guy on the planet.
Thanks this works !
Can you instruct me as to unlocking my iPad due to the FBI virus scam
thank you! That’s incredibly helpful! Someone had asked me for $80 to do this!
This popped up on my iPhone when I clicked on an image in Pinterest (thus taking me to the web but within the app). No problems with Safari. I’m hoping I’m in the clear.
I updated my browser and have the new safari and this browser blocker isn’t letting me clear the history or reset safari… I guess that the new safari sucks, but I need to fix this, can someone please help me… Is there a way to do it from the file directory??
Thanks
I got this virus on google chrome on the updated version so they must not have completely fixed it.
I read through several articles without achieving removal…After watching the video and trying one time the safari browser is again working. THANKS !
Thank you so much for your help! Was worried for a minute but thanks to you my mac & I are all good again.
Appreciate it friend 🙂
I was using Firefox last night and this happened. My Firefox screen froze, but I was able to click on Word, which was also open. I forced quit Firefox and it worked. I opened Firefox again and the lock screen popped up again. I forced quit again. When I opened it, I got the whoops screen that asked me if I wanted to restore the previous session. I clicked no and cleared my recent history. Do I need to do anything else? I pay all of my bills online and I am afraid to open up any site and use my credit card.
this happened to me on chrome so I force quit and reopened and reset. I haven’t come across it yet.Is the problem fixed?
The pop up message keeps popping up, making “Reset Safari” greyed out and unable to click. what should i do?
well that happen to me to. so what i did was i forced my computer shut then i opened it and without trying to exit safari i reseted it.
hope it helped
When I go to the Reset Safari it is not in black letters so I can not click on it. Is there something else I can do?
This happened on an iphone what do I do
Thanks for the great article. It has saved my brain from going nuts.
We have the FBI virus on our Mac and when I go into Safari to click reset, it is in print that means it is unavailable to click on. So how else do I remove the lock on our system?
Help canot reset safari
THAMK YOU SO MUCH!!! I WAS SO SCARED YOU JUST SAVED MY LIFE!!
Thanks for the article. I just got this FBI scam on my Mac about 15 minutes ago, but I clicked “Leave Page” only one time and it went away and everything is fine so far. I’ve been searching for information since then to find out what exactly happens if you click “Leave Page” and I haven’t found anyone who was in my exact same situation (a person who clicked “Leave Page” only one time and was left alone after that). Therefore, I’m really worried and I’m wondering what this means? Is it enough to reset my browser to be sure that everything is okay? Or is my actual computer actually infected now? Do I have to restore my computer back to factory settings? 🙁 Please help!! 🙂
Thank you very much. Very helpful. 🙂
So once i’ve done these steps is my laptop clean? or is there other virus on the background and files? please help!!
It’s only a browser lock. There is no virus on your computer if you have this infection.
This is very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks friend!
So, I’ve read a lot about the PC version of this virus and other sites say that the ransomware can also attache a virus that records key strokes and can steal personal account information. Can the mac version do the same thing, or does it only highjack your browsers? My Chrome browser was attacked last night and I just want to make sure that there isn’t some malware or spyware running in the background on my computer stealing information or waiting for me to buy something so that it can.
Thanks!
No the Mac version does not do the same thing. The PC version of this virus is introduced via Trojan horses and any party in control of those trojans may use tactics to record keystrokes.
if i cleared my safari broewser through my settings and the browser is back up does this mean ive fixed the problem
Thank you. Was about to throw my mac off the bridge.you saved it.
OMG!!! I nearly sh*t my pants. Thank you!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, my son thought the FBI was coming after him. Thank you for making it so easy to remove. There are a lot of nasty people out there, thanks for not being one of them!
Thank You!!!
Thanks a lot!
Thank you so much!!! We all appreciate it
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