Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

I am getting a malware pop-up on my Mac laptop. The content of the message is shown below. What should I do?

  • 5 replies
  • 10 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by mgottd

more options

The pop-up says: "The page at http://certix.co.cc says: Warning! Your PC is at risk of virus and malware attack. Your system require immediate check! System Security will perform a quick and free scan of your PC for viruses and malicious programs."

The pop-up says: "The page at http://certix.co.cc says: Warning! Your PC is at risk of virus and malware attack. Your system require immediate check! System Security will perform a quick and free scan of your PC for viruses and malicious programs."

All Replies (5)

more options

Would you lose any work if you "force quit" (Command - Option - Escape) Firefox? If not, that probably is safest. When you restart Firefox, it usually will display all the same tabs. If you force quit a second time, then when you restart, Firefox usually will apologize and let you choose from a list of what you had open so you can avoid the bad page.

Edit: I don't know whether you can update to the last of the 3.5 series, or the 3.6 series, if not to Firefox 4. That might be a good idea.

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

more options

Thanks. That worked beautifully.

more options

my problem is I cant bypass the MS Removal Tool pop up. Im trying to connect to Symantec to run a scan but it doesnt let me.

I removed firewall because I have a secure wi fi connection, but that didnt help.

more options

@mgottd, are you running Windows? If so, use the Task Manager to shut down your problem browser (Ctrl+Shift+Esc, then check the Applications tab and the Processes tab).

Can you try to get these two highly regarded scanners by copying the URL and then pasting it in the Windows XP Start > Run box or the Windows 7 "orb" search box and pressing Enter:

Malwarebytes Anti-malware : http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

SUPERAntiSpyware : http://www.superantispyware.com/

Also, please note that your Firewall protects against inbound connections from the internet as well as your local network, so you probably do not want to turn it off for very long.

more options

by the way, I have PC not Mac