I would like to warn you about any scams you may encounter on your iPhone. While browsing, you may suddenly receive a warning message claiming that your device has a virus. These pop-ups are scams to deceive you to think your iPhone is damaged. Fake Apple Virus warnings, security alerts, and messages are all tactics used to inspire numbers or to click on malicious links. Bonnie from El Paso, Texas reached out to share that she had experienced the same problem.
“I’ve received two pop-ups on my iPhone 8 Plus in the last few days. The iPhone is hacked and offers the option to hit OK. It’s just shutting down my phone. How can I get around this?
To protect yourself from these scams and ensure that your iPhone remains secure, it is essential to understand how these fake alerts work and what steps can be taken to prevent them.
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Woman watching an iPhone pop-up (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
Decompose security alert scams
Scams usually appear as pop-up messages such as “Apple security warning on iPhone, virus detected.” It may seem persuasive, but this is a scam. In fact, there is no such thing as legitimate Apple security alerts on your iPhone or iPad.
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It is also important to note that these illicit pop-ups are not specifically for iPhones. You can also show up while you browse the web. For example, you might come across a McAfee Antivirus popup on your computer. It incorrectly claims that the device is infected and that your McAfee subscription has expired.
Fake Virus Warning Pop-up (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
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How to get rid of fake virus warnings
Some scam alerts may have a deceptive X or close option that looks like a concept button, but actually redirects to a phishing site. To safely remove these false warnings, follow these steps instead:
Do not click on the pop-up. Instead, tap the tab icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap the x button on the tab or swipe up to close. (Adpers) Open app.toggle in airplane mode. This will temporarily remove your phone’s internet connection and allow you to reset Safari while preventing unauthorized access to your iPhone. Tap Safari.Safari.Safari.TapClear history and website data. Safari settings toggle between fraudulent website warnings and block pop-ups.
Safari can now be resumed. If you don’t interact with the fake virus warning, your iPhone will have no problem and you won’t see the scam.
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Illustration to lock data (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
My iPhone says there are 14 viruses. What should I do next?
How to stay protected
Below are some steps you can take to avoid these scams and protect your device.
1. Do not interact with popups: If you see a popup like this, do not click “OK” or other buttons. Instead, close the app with a tab or pop-up.
2. Enable popup blocker: Go to Settings > Apps > Safari and make sure the block popup is turned on. This will help prevent these types of pop-ups from appearing in the future.
3. Update your iPhone software: Make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. In many cases, updates include security patches that protect against new threats. Go to (Settings)>(General)>(Software Updates) and check for updates.
4. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and install powerful antivirus software. Please note that you may click on links to emails, text messages, or websites that you believe are suspicious. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links to install malware is to install antivirus software on all devices, as it may access your personal information. This protection can also warn you that it will phish email and ransomware scams and keep your personal information and digital assets safe. Get the best 2025 Antivirus Protection Winners picks for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
5. Enable fraudulent website warnings: In Settings > Safari, make sure that fraudulent website warnings are turned on. This feature helps protect you from visiting known malicious websites.
6. Use Personal Data Deletion Services: Consider using Personal Data Deletion Services to reduce your exposure to fraud or phishing attempts. These services will help you remove information from data aggregator sites, making it difficult for scammers to target you. Deleting personal data from the Internet can significantly reduce the risk of malicious actors being targeted.
While there is no service that promises to delete all data from the Internet, it is great to provide personal data deletion services when constantly monitoring and automate the process of continually deleting information from hundreds of sites over a long period of time. Please see the top picks for data deletion services.
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Important takeouts in your cart
Ultimately, protecting your iPhone from fake virus warnings is to recognize these scams and take some simple precautions. By outlining your device and following the steps to keep it up to date, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming victim to these tactics. Stay safe and remember that if something appears suspicious, it is always better to be careful.
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