Just got a screen telling me my imac infected

[mattg3]

My 4 month old new imac just put a screen up saying my imac was infected with malware and virus according to apple security center.I was in shock since i didnt know what this was all about.They told me i had a zip file i had to open to clean up my machine.I did not open it(didnt know what to use to open it)so I just left things alone.what should I do now?Is this legitimate? This came up as I was on the internet reading my hotmail.the screen that announced this looked like a legitimate apple imac screen. Help

 

[ditzy]

Not legitimate do not open!
If it has downloaded a zip file to your computer delete it.

 

[iStudentUK]

Trust Admiral Ackbar, he knows when things are a trap.

Ignore, delete, quit safari etc.

 

[mattg3]

Thanks,Im using firefox.

 

[yakkowarner epi]

it's becoming quite common in browsers and facebook. If you download the software then you most likely will download spy ware or a key logger. Always get your software from apple directly.

 

[GGJstudios]

My 4 month old new imac just put a screen up saying my imac was infected with malware and virus according to apple security center.

There has never been a virus in the wild that affects Mac OS X since it was released 10 years ago. The handful of trojans that exist can be easily avoided with some education and common sense and care in what software you install:

Mac Virus/Malware Info​

The first section of that link deals specifically with the MacDefender/MacSecurity/MacProtector issue. I encourage you to read it.

If you download the software then you most likely will download spy ware or a key logger.

No, it's not spyware or a keylogger. Read the link I posted.

 

[mattg3]

I deleted it to trash and emptied.Pretty scary stuff since it really looked legitimate.Wonder how it got in my imac?

 

[Jolly Giant]

there are also a number of threads on Apple Support Communities dealing with this and other trojans.

this one, for instance.

in addition to GGJstudios' link, also have a look here.

 

[GGJstudios]

I deleted it to trash and emptied.Pretty scary stuff since it really looked legitimate.Wonder how it got in my imac?

Did you read the link I posted? It tells you how it got there and how to prevent it from opening.

 

[MonkeySee....]

Image

Trust Admiral Ackbar, he knows when things are a trap.

Ignore, delete, quit safari etc.

haha love it

 

[GGJstudios]

Ignore, delete, quit safari etc.

By the way, there's no need to quit Safari. Just delete the downloaded file and uncheck "Open "safe" files after downloading" in Safari preferences.

 

[spacepower7]

it's becoming quite common in browsers and facebook. If you download the software then you most likely will download spy ware or a key logger. Always get your software from apple directly.

I got a call the other day from a friend who got this warning while looking at Facebook. Shows how vigilant they are

It's the MACDefender Trojan that has been going around. You won't become infected unless you give the installer your admin password, which you should never do unless you purposely download software yourself.

 

[Badger^2]

I got a call the other day from a friend who got this warning while looking at Facebook. Shows how vigilant they are

It's the MACDefender Trojan that has been going around. You won't become infected unless you give the installer your admin password, which you should never do unless you purposely download software yourself.

And you dont get "infected" with anything.

They just want your money.