I just received a pop-up that said my MacBook air was infected with spyware and to call a number 1-833-251-****. I did not call this number and I shut down my computer. Is this for real or just more spyware and what should I do about it if anything.
[Edited by Moderator]
Above is correct.
More info on common scams—of which you just encountered one—at the following two blue-text links:
Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
Scam Pop-ups, Scam Viruses, Scam Receipts… - Apple Community
If a website could scan your Mac for malware, they wouldn’t bother. They’d just upload all your data, passwords and the rest. The advertisers can’t, so they use words that cause a strong reaction, words such as “hacker”, or “virus”, or whatever hooks the readers’ attention.
Above is correct.
More info on common scams—of which you just encountered one—at the following two blue-text links:
Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support
Scam Pop-ups, Scam Viruses, Scam Receipts… - Apple Community
If a website could scan your Mac for malware, they wouldn’t bother. They’d just upload all your data, passwords and the rest. The advertisers can’t, so they use words that cause a strong reaction, words such as “hacker”, or “virus”, or whatever hooks the readers’ attention.
It's phishing. Dismiss and ignore it.
While some websites will actually check uploaded files for malware, and some legitimate scanner applications exist for Macs, none of them will tell you to call a number.
(198644)
i just received a message on my MacBook Air that I have spyware on the computer
