Remove “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” from Apple Mac OS X

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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If you are using an Apple Mac OS X, and you are seeing a “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up for Safety Reasons” notification within Safari, Firefox or Chrome, then you have been redirected to a web page that contains a malicious javascript code. The “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” message is basically just a web page containing a malicious javascript that does not allow you to close the browser window or switch to a different web page.
[Image: "Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up Mac OS X virus]
The “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” virus will display a bogus notification that pretends to be from your local law enforcement agency (Examples: FBI, Department of Justice, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Australian Federal Police, Police Central e-crime Unit) and states that your computer has been blocked due to it being involved with the distribution of pornographic material, spam and copyrighted content.
It goes on to say that you need to pay a ransom of $300 in order to get access to your files and computer again. In order to pay this ransom you need purchase a MoneyPak voucher and submit it in the web browser. The malware’s authors prefer these payment services because transactions made through them cannot be reversed and are hard to trace.

If your computer is infected with the “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” browser hijacker, this infection will display a localized webpage that covers the entire web browser of the infected computer and demands payment for the supposed possession of illicit material. The message displayed by this ransomware infection can be localized depending on the user’s location, with text written in the appropriate language.
[Image: Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up Mac OS X scam]
The text of the popup that is displayed when you try to close the browser window is:

Are you sure you want to leave this page?
Message from webpage:
YOUR BROWSER HAS BEEN BLOCKED UP FOR SAFETY REASONS.
ALL PC DATA WILL BE DETAINED.
ALL YOUR FILES ARE ENCRYPTED.

YOUR BROWSER HAS BEEN BLOCKED UP. Leave this page or Stay on this page.

Cyber criminals often updated the design of this lock screen, however you should always keep in mind that no law enforcement agency (eg: FBI, Department of Justice, Royal Canadian Mounted Police or Police Central e-crime Unit) will never lock down your computer or monitor your online activities.

The “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” browser blocker is a scam, and you should ignore any alerts that this malicious software might generate.
Under no circumstance should you send a MoneyPak, Ukash or Paysafecard voucher to these cyber criminals, and if you have, you can should request a refund, stating that you are the victim of a computer virus and scam.

How to remove the “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” browser virus from Apple Mac OS X (Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove the “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” Mac OS X infection from your Apple Mac OS X. Please perform all the steps in the correct order. If you have any questions or doubt at any point, STOP and ask for our assistance.
OPTION 1: Remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by resetting Safari to its default settings
OPTION 2: Remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up browser hijacker Apple Mac OS X virus using Force Quit for your browser
OPTION 3: Remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by disabling Javascript

OPTION 1: Remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by resetting Safari to its default settings

To remove the Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up browser hijacker from Safari, we will need to reset your browser to its default settings.

  1. Click on the Safari menu and then choose Reset Safari
    [Image: Select Reset Safari from the menu]
  2. In the new windows, make sure all items are marked and click on the Reset button.
    [Image: Reset Safari to default settings]

OPTION 2: Remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up browser hijacker Apple Mac OS X virus using Force Quit for your browser

  1. Press Command + Option + Escape simultaneously. This will open the open the Force Quit Applications window.
    [Image: Press Command + Option + Escape to start Force Quit menu]
  2. Select Safari, Chrome, Firefox or any other browser in which your are seeing the Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up ransomware notification.
    [Image: Select Firefox, Chrome or Safari from Force Quit menu]
  3. Click the button that says “Force Quit“. This will forcefully end your browser program, thus removing the Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up browser hijacker.
    [Image: Click on the Force Quit button to remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up virus]
    If you cannot switch from the unresponsive app, press Command + Option + Shift + Esc for three seconds to force it to quit. This key combination tells OS X to force quit the front most app.
  4. Your browser should be closed now. Open the web browser again, then quickly close it again by using the button in the corner of the browser.
  5. You should now be able to open your browser without seeing the malicious pop-up. As a final step, clear your browser “History”.

OPTION 3: Remove Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by disabling Javascript

  1. Click on Safari in your browser menu, located at the top of your screen. When the drop-down menu appears, select the choice labeled Preferences…
    Please note that you can use the following keyboard shortcut in lieu of the aforementioned menu item: COMMAND (APPLE) + COMMA
    [Image: Select Preferences from the Safari menu]
  2. Safari’s Preferences dialog should now be displayed, overlaying your browser window. Click on the tab labeled Security.
    [Image: Select Security from the Safari menu]
  3. Safari Security Preferences should now be displayed. In the third section from the top, labeled Web content, is an option titled Enable JavaScript. By default, this option is checked and therefore active. To disable JavaScript, simply uncheck the appropriate box. Then you should be able to close Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up and browser away.
    [Image: Disable Javascript in Safari]
    Once you have closed Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up, you can enable Javascript again in Safari.

To protect your Apple Mac OS X from future infections, we recommend that you download and install avast! Free Antivirus for Mac.

How to Stay Safe Online

Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:

  1. Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.

    Shield Guide

    It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.

  2. Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

    updates-guide

    Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.

  3. Be careful when installing programs and apps.

    install guide

    Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."

  4. Install an ad blocker.

    Ad Blocker

    Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.

  5. Be careful what you download.

    Trojan Horse

    A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.

  6. Be alert for people trying to trick you.

    warning sign

    Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.

  7. Back up your data.

    backup sign

    Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.

  8. Choose strong passwords.

    lock sign

    Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.

  9. Be careful where you click.

    cursor sign

    Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.

  10. Don't use pirated software.

    Shady Guide

    Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.

To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.

17 thoughts on “Remove “Your Browser Has Been Blocked Up” from Apple Mac OS X”

  1. Hi
    I just got this virus on my mac and by simply following the force quit command I was able to get rid of this crap. But this looks so real and for half an hour I was strugling with it. But after reading your page i managed to get rid of this shit.
    But is there anything if we just instal on our mac book pro we doesnot get these viruses in future.
    Thanks for your page.

  2. I cannot get this thing off my Mac I tried all three. While I can pull the dropdown for Safari it will not let me click on Preferences. Please help?

  3. Hi Stelian, I got this scam, when I tried to start with step 1, I do not see the Reset Safari you are talking about, what else can I do?..thanks…

  7. I just had this happen and when I forced quit it reopened my browser on the same page. I used another trick to quit the browser and it seemed to have worked though.

  9. Hello,
    Lets try these steps:
    1.Click on Safari in your browser menu, located at the top of your screen. When the drop-down menu appears, select the choice labeled Preferences…

    Please note that you can use the following keyboard shortcut in lieu of the aforementioned menu item: COMMAND (APPLE) + COMMA

    2. Safari’s Preferences dialog should now be displayed, overlaying your browser window. Click on the tab labeled Security.

    3.Safari 5’s Security Preferences should now be displayed. In the third section from the top, labeled Web content, is an option titled Enable JavaScript. By default, this option is checked and therefore active. To disable JavaScript, simply uncheck the appropriate box.

    Close your browser, then open it again. Go to google.com, then you can re-enable the JavaScript option.

    Stay safe!

  10. I was on a mac with safari and panicked when i couldn’t get it to go away, so i did a force shutdown. is the virus on my mac now, or does that have the same effect as the above options?

  13. Hi just wanted to know whether the virus is on my laptop now that I’ve closed the site down? Thanks

  14. Hello,
    Lets try these steps:
    1.Click on Safari in your browser menu, located at the top of your screen. When the drop-down menu appears, select the choice labeled Preferences…

    Please note that you can use the following keyboard shortcut in lieu of the aforementioned menu item: COMMAND (APPLE) + COMMA

    2. Safari’s Preferences dialog should now be displayed, overlaying your browser window. Click on the tab labeled Security.

    3.Safari 5’s Security Preferences should now be displayed. In the third section from the top, labeled Web content, is an option titled Enable JavaScript. By default, this option is checked and therefore active. To disable JavaScript, simply uncheck the appropriate box.

    Close your browser, then open it again. Go to google.com, then you can re-enable the JavaScript option.

    Stay safe!

  15. I’ve followed both steps to no avail. When I try to reset safari, a pop up comes up and I can not click on the final reset button. Any tips would be very appreciated! Also would it help to uninstall and re-install safari?

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