A text claiming there was a suspicious $143.95 Apple Pay transaction at an Apple Store may look serious at first glance. It uses calm wording, a small believable amount, and a fake Apple Support phone number to make the message feel real.
But this message is not from Apple. It is part of a phone-based phishing and tech support scam built to scare recipients into calling criminals.
Scam Overview
The $143.95 Apple Pay Transaction Text Scam is a fake security alert that pretends to come from Apple or Apple Pay. The message claims that Apple noticed an unusual Apple Pay transaction at an Apple Store in California and placed a temporary restriction on it.
A common version of the message says:
Apple Pay Security Reminder
We noticed a $143.95 Apple Pay transaction at Apple Store (CA) that didn’t match usual patterns and placed a short restriction on it. This restriction prevents the transaction from moving forward until it can be confirmed.If this was you, no action is needed. If not, please notify Apple Support at +1 888-821 2789 to review and restore your account safety.
Apple Support at +1 888-821 2789
Reply STOP to decline future messages.
At first, this message may seem less aggressive than many scam texts. It does not immediately threaten to close your account. It does not claim your phone will be blocked forever. It does not include wild spelling mistakes in every sentence.
That is exactly what makes it dangerous.
Many scam messages are obvious because they use broken English, strange punctuation, or outrageous claims. This one is more polished. It uses a smaller transaction amount, a professional-sounding subject line, and language that mimics the tone of a real fraud alert.
The amount, $143.95, is also carefully chosen. It is not so large that it feels ridiculous, but it is large enough to get your attention. Most people would want to question a $143.95 Apple Pay charge, especially if they did not recently buy anything from Apple.
The scam also uses a familiar brand name. Apple is one of the most trusted technology companies in the world, and millions of people use Apple Pay, iPhones, Apple IDs, iCloud, and the App Store every day. Scammers know that if they can place the word “Apple” inside a message, many recipients will take it seriously.
The phrase “Apple Pay Security Reminder” is also part of the deception. It sounds official without making a specific technical claim. It gives the impression that the message is part of a fraud prevention system, not a random text from an unknown sender.
Another manipulative detail is the line that says, “If this was you, no action is needed.” This makes the message feel balanced and legitimate. Real banks and payment providers often use similar language in fraud alerts. The scammer is trying to copy that familiar pattern.
But the next line is where the real trap begins. The message tells the recipient to call “Apple Support” at +1 888-821 2789 if the transaction was not authorized. That number is not a reliable way to contact Apple. It is the center of the scam.
The purpose of the text is not to warn you about a real Apple Pay transaction. The purpose is to make you call the number.
Once you call, the scammers can move the conversation in several directions. They may pretend to be Apple Support, Apple Pay Security, Apple Billing, or an account recovery department. They may say they need to verify your identity, review your Apple ID, cancel the payment, secure your device, or restore your account safety.
From there, they may attempt to collect personal information, Apple ID login details, verification codes, card numbers, banking information, or remote access to your device.
In some cases, these scams turn into fake tech support schemes. The person on the phone may claim that your Apple ID is compromised, your iPhone has been hacked, or your device is infected. They may then ask you to install remote access software such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, or another screen-sharing tool.
This is extremely dangerous. Once a scammer can see or control your screen, they can guide you into opening sensitive accounts, watch you type passwords, manipulate what appears on your screen, or pressure you into transferring money.
In other cases, the scam becomes a fake refund scheme. The scammer may say they can reverse the $143.95 Apple Pay transaction, but they need you to open your bank account or payment app to “confirm” the refund. They may then claim that too much money was refunded by mistake and pressure you to send money back.
Another common outcome is a gift card scam. The scammer may claim your account has been used fraudulently and that gift cards are needed to verify, reverse, freeze, or secure the transaction. This makes no sense from a real support perspective, but under pressure, victims may follow instructions.
Scammers often tell victims to buy Apple gift cards, Target gift cards, Google Play gift cards, Best Buy gift cards, or other cards from retail stores. Then they ask the victim to read the codes over the phone. Once the codes are shared, the money is usually gone.
The “Reply STOP to decline future messages” line is also suspicious. Many legitimate marketing texts include this wording, so scammers add it to make the text look compliant and official. But replying to a scam message can confirm that your number is active. That may lead to more scam texts, robocalls, or targeted fraud attempts.
The most important thing to understand is this: receiving the message does not mean your Apple Pay account was actually used. It does not mean your Apple ID was hacked. It does not mean there is a real $143.95 charge waiting for approval.
The message is bait.
The safest response is to avoid the phone number in the text, avoid replying, and check your Apple account or bank account directly through official channels.
How The Scam Works
The $143.95 Apple Pay Transaction Text Scam is built around a simple psychological trick. It creates just enough concern to make you act, but not so much that the message immediately looks fake.
Instead of screaming that your iPhone will be blocked or that thousands of dollars have been stolen, it presents itself as a calm security reminder. That gives the scam a more believable tone.
Here is how the scam usually works from start to finish.
Step 1: The Scammer Sends a Fake Apple Pay Alert
The scam begins with a text message that appears to warn you about an Apple Pay transaction.
It may say that Apple noticed a $143.95 purchase at an Apple Store in California. It may also claim that the transaction did not match your usual patterns and has been temporarily restricted.
This wording is designed to sound like fraud detection language. Many real banks and payment apps do monitor unusual activity, so the message borrows that familiar style.
The scammer wants you to think, “Maybe Apple stopped a suspicious charge before it went through.”
That thought is enough to make many people keep reading.
Step 2: The Message Uses a Believable Transaction Amount
A fake charge of $143.95 feels realistic. It could be an accessory, a repair, an App Store purchase, a subscription bundle, or a small Apple Store transaction.
If the amount were $4,987.95, many people might instantly dismiss the message as fake. If it were $2.99, most people might ignore it. But $143.95 sits in the middle. It feels possible.
That is intentional.
Scammers often test different amounts to see what gets the most calls. A smaller believable amount can work better than a dramatic one because it lowers the recipient’s suspicion.
Step 3: The Text Claims the Transaction Was Restricted
The message says Apple placed a “short restriction” on the transaction. This is another clever manipulation.
Instead of saying the money is already gone, the scam says the charge is paused. That makes the recipient feel there is still time to act.
It creates a sense of control.
The victim may think, “If I call now, I can stop this before it becomes a problem.”
That is exactly the reaction the scammer wants.
Step 4: The Text Gives a Fake Apple Support Phone Number
The scam message tells you to notify Apple Support at +1 888-821 2789.
This phone number is the trap. The scammers do not need you to click a link. They do not need you to download a file immediately. They only need you to call.
Phone scams are powerful because they allow criminals to build pressure in real time. Once you are speaking to someone, they can adjust their script based on your reactions.
If you sound worried, they become reassuring. If you sound skeptical, they may become more technical. If you say you are in a hurry, they may claim the issue must be handled immediately.
A live phone call gives the scammer room to manipulate.
Step 5: The Fake Support Agent Builds Trust
If you call the number, the person who answers may sound professional. They may introduce themselves as Apple Support, Apple Pay Security, Apple Billing, or Apple Fraud Prevention.
They may use scripted phrases such as:
- “Thank you for calling Apple Support.”
- “I can help you secure your account.”
- “We see unusual activity linked to your Apple ID.”
- “This transaction is currently on hold.”
- “We need to verify whether this was authorized.”
- “Please do not worry, we can help you stop it.”
The goal is to make you believe you reached the correct department.
The scammer may also ask basic questions to appear legitimate. They may ask for your name, phone number, email address, device type, or last Apple purchase. Some of this may seem harmless, but it helps them build a profile.
Step 6: The Scammer Claims There Is a Bigger Account Problem
After the call begins, the story usually expands.
The original text only mentioned a $143.95 Apple Pay transaction. But the fake support agent may now claim there are other problems.
They may say:
- Your Apple ID was accessed from another state or country.
- Someone added your Apple Pay to another device.
- Your iPhone has been compromised.
- Your iCloud account is being used by hackers.
- Your bank card is linked to suspicious activity.
- Multiple failed login attempts were detected.
- Your account will remain restricted unless it is verified.
This is where the scam changes from a fake transaction alert into a broader account security scam.
The scammer wants you to feel that the issue is too serious to handle on your own.
Step 7: They Ask for Verification Codes or Apple ID Details
The fake support agent may ask you to verify your Apple ID email address, password, or a code sent to your phone.
This is a major red flag.
Real support representatives should not ask for your password. They also should not ask you to read out a two-factor authentication code that protects your account.
A verification code is not a formality. It is a key. If you give that code to a scammer, they may be able to sign into your account, reset your password, add a trusted device, or make changes to your Apple ID.
The scammer may phrase the request in a casual way, such as:
- “Read me the code so I can confirm your identity.”
- “This code is needed to cancel the transaction.”
- “We need the number to unlock the restriction.”
- “Do not worry, it is only for verification.”
Do not share verification codes with anyone who contacted you through an unexpected text or phone call.
Step 8: They May Ask You to Install Remote Access Software
In many versions of Apple support scams, the fake agent eventually asks you to install remote access software.
They may tell you to download AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, Zoho Assist, or another remote support tool.
They may claim this is needed to:
- Check your device for hackers
- Remove unauthorized Apple Pay access
- Cancel the $143.95 charge
- Restore account safety
- Secure your iPhone
- Process a refund
- Connect you to a protected server
This is one of the most dangerous stages of the scam.
Remote access tools are legitimate when used by trusted IT professionals in the right setting. But when a stranger from an unexpected text message tells you to install one, the risk is severe.
The scammer may be able to see your screen, direct your clicks, ask you to open banking apps, view private messages, or watch you enter passwords. Even when remote access is limited, screen sharing alone can expose sensitive information.
Step 9: The Scam Moves Toward Money
Once the scammer has your trust, the conversation usually turns toward money.
They may claim the $143.95 charge must be canceled through your bank. They may ask you to open your banking app so they can “verify” the refund. They may say Apple needs to connect with your bank to remove the restriction.
This is false.
Apple does not need you to open your bank account over a remote session to cancel an Apple Pay charge.
The scammer may also claim that your money must be moved to a “safe” account. This is another common fraud tactic. Any request to move money for safety should be treated as a scam.
No legitimate company will ask you to transfer money to protect it from hackers.
Step 10: The Fake Refund Trick May Begin
Some scammers use a fake refund script.
They tell you they are refunding the $143.95. Then they pretend to make a mistake and claim they refunded too much, perhaps $1,439.50 or $14,395 instead of $143.95.
They may alter what appears on your screen, use browser tricks, or simply pressure you into believing the refund error is real.
Then they demand that you return the difference.
They may sound upset. They may claim they will lose their job. They may say the mistake will be reported to Apple. This emotional pressure is part of the scam.
There was no real refund mistake. The scammer is trying to make you send your own money.
Step 11: They Request Gift Cards or Fast Payments
If the scam reaches the payment stage, the scammer may ask for gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment app transfers.
Gift cards are especially common.
They may tell you to buy Apple, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Google Play gift cards. Then they ask you to scratch off the back and read the codes.
Once they have the codes, they can drain the value quickly.
Scammers like gift cards because they are easy to buy, hard to trace, and difficult to reverse. A real Apple Support agent will never ask you to pay, verify, refund, or unlock anything with gift cards.
Step 12: The Scammer Keeps You Isolated
Scammers often try to keep victims on the phone for as long as possible. They may tell you not to hang up, not to speak to your bank, and not to tell store employees why you are buying gift cards.
They may say the case is confidential. They may claim that telling anyone could interrupt the investigation. They may warn that your account could be locked if you stop cooperating.
These are pressure tactics.
A legitimate company will not isolate you from your bank, your family, or store employees. A real support process does not require secrecy.
Step 13: The Scam May Continue After the First Call
Even after the first call ends, the scammers may keep trying.
They may call back from different numbers. They may send more texts. They may pretend to be from your bank, Apple, a fraud department, or even law enforcement.
If they believe you are likely to pay, they may continue targeting you.
This is why it is important to block the number, report the message, change any compromised passwords, and alert your bank if you shared information.
How to Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware
If a pop-up scam tricked you into downloading an unwanted program — or you suspect your device is infected — follow the free, step-by-step removal guide below to find and remove it.
Please follow the steps in order. If you get stuck or have doubts at any point, stop and ask for help in our free support forum — our team will guide you personally.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows-
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Mac 
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android- Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from iPhone and iPad
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Windows
- STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
- STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings
- STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware and unwanted programs
- STEP 4: Use HitmanPro to scan your computer for badware
- STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove adware and malicious browser policies
STEP 1: Uninstall malicious programs from Windows
In this first step, we will manually check if any unknown or malicious programs are installed on the computer. Sometimes adware and browser hijackers can have a usable Uninstall entry that can be used to remove them.
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Open the Settings app
Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings. Alternatively, right-click the Start button and select “Settings” from the menu.
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Go to “Installed apps”
In the Settings window, click “Apps” in the sidebar, then select “Installed apps“.
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Find and uninstall the malicious program
Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — a program you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name.
Quick tip: click “Sort by” and choose “Date installed“. Malware is usually one of the most recently installed programs, so it will appear near the top.
When you find the malicious program, click the three dots next to it and select “Uninstall“.
Didn’t find any suspicious programs? That’s fine — not all infections install visible apps. Just continue with the next step in this guide. -
Complete the uninstall
Confirm by clicking Uninstall in the message box, then follow the remaining prompts.
Read each prompt carefully — some malicious programs use confusing wording or pre-ticked boxes hoping you’ll click through without looking.
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Open the Settings app
Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open Settings. Alternatively, click the Start button on the taskbar and select “Settings” (the gear icon).
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Click on “Apps”
In the “Windows Settings” window, click “Apps“. The “Apps & Features” section should open by default — if it doesn’t, select it from the list on the left.
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Find and uninstall the malicious program
Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — a program you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name.
Quick tip: click “Sort by” and choose “Install date“. Malware is usually one of the most recently installed programs, so it will appear near the top.
When you find the malicious program, click on it and select “Uninstall“.
Didn’t find any suspicious programs? That’s fine — not all infections install visible apps. Just continue with the next step in this guide. -
Complete the uninstall
Confirm by clicking Uninstall in the message box, then follow the remaining prompts.
Read each prompt carefully — some malicious programs use confusing wording or pre-ticked boxes hoping you’ll click through without looking.
With the malicious programs removed, you’re ready for the next step in this guide.
STEP 2: Reset browsers back to default settings
In this step, we will remove spam notifications, malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware.
Please note that a Chrome or Edge reset turns off all your extensions, and a Firefox refresh removes them. Your bookmarks and favorites stay intact. For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the browsers tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.
Reset Chrome for Windows to default settings
We will now reset your Chrome browser settings to their original defaults. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.
Open the Chrome menu
Open Google Chrome and click the three-dot (⋮) icon in the top-right corner.
Open Chrome Settings
Select Settings from the Chrome menu.
Select “Reset settings”
Look at the menu on the left side of the Settings page. Scroll down and click Reset settings.
Restore Chrome’s original settings
Click Restore settings to their original defaults.
Confirm the Chrome reset
A confirmation window will appear. Click Reset settings.
This will:
- Restore the default search engine, homepage, and new tab page
- Reset startup pages and pinned tabs
- Reset site permissions, such as notifications and pop-ups
- Disable installed extensions
- Clear temporary cookies and website data
Don’t worry: Chrome will not delete your bookmarks, browsing history, or saved passwords. If you’re signed in to Chrome, the reset applies on all devices where you’re signed in.
Restart Chrome and perform a test search. If your searches now open normally in Google, you can stop here.
If searches are still redirected through shady domains complete the additional step below.
Remove persistent search hijacker data
Only complete this step if the redirect continues after resetting Chrome.
Some browser hijackers hide inside Chrome’s local search-engine database. A standard Chrome reset may not remove this database, which is why searches can continue to pass through shady sites.
The following procedure creates a backup of the affected database and allows Chrome to build a new, clean version. This is safer and less disruptive than deleting the entire Chrome profile.
First, prevent Chrome Sync from restoring the hijacked settings:
- Open a new Chrome tab.
- Copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
chrome://settings/syncSetup/advanced - Under Manage what you sync, select Customize sync.
- Turn off Settings and Extensions.
- You can leave Bookmarks and Passwords enabled so your important data remains synchronized.
Note: Some newer Chrome versions may automatically redirect this address to the Google Account settings page. If that happens, locate the list of synchronized Chrome data and turn off Settings and Extensions there.
Now save anything you are working on and close every Chrome window.
Run the cleanup command:
- Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
- Type PowerShell.
- Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
- Copy the entire command shown below.
- Right-click inside the PowerShell window to paste the command, then press Enter.
- If Windows warns you about pasting multiple lines, select the option to continue.
$stamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMdd-HHmmss"
Get-Process chrome -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Stop-Process -Force
$root = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Google\Chrome\User Data"
if (Test-Path $root) {
$profiles = Get-ChildItem $root -Directory |
Where-Object {
$_.Name -eq "Default" -or
$_.Name -match "^Profile \d+$"
}
foreach ($profile in $profiles) {
foreach ($name in @(
"Web Data",
"Web Data-journal",
"Web Data-wal",
"Web Data-shm"
)) {
$file = Join-Path $profile.FullName $name
if (Test-Path $file) {
$backup = "$file.search-hijacker-backup-$stamp"
Move-Item -LiteralPath $file -Destination $backup
Write-Host "Backup created: $backup"
}
}
}
}
Write-Host ""
Write-Host "Chrome search data has been cleaned."
Write-Host "You can now reopen Chrome."Wait until PowerShell displays the following message:
Chrome search data has been cleaned.
You can now reopen Chrome.
Close PowerShell and reopen Google Chrome. Chrome will automatically create a clean search database for every local profile.
Next, copy the following address, paste it into Chrome’s address bar, and press Enter:
chrome://settings/searchEngines
Make sure Google is selected as the default search engine. Test several searches from the address bar and confirm that they no longer pass through shady search engines.
Your important Chrome data is protected: the PowerShell cleanup does not remove bookmarks, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, or installed extensions. However, it may reset locally stored Autofill addresses, payment cards saved only on this computer, and form suggestions.
The original search database is not deleted. PowerShell renames it and adds
search-hijacker-backupto its filename so it can be recovered if necessary.Keep Settings and Extensions synchronization disabled while testing Chrome. Do not enable every extension at once. Enable only the extensions you recognize, one at a time, and test Chrome after each one.
If the redirect returns after enabling a particular extension, remove that extension immediately.
Reset Firefox for Windows to default settings
We will now reset your Firefox browser settings to their default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.
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Open the Firefox menu and click “Help and Report”
Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of Firefox to open the main menu, then select “Help and Report“.
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Click “More troubleshooting information”
In the Help and Report menu, click “More troubleshooting information“.
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Click “Refresh Firefox”
On the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the “Give Firefox a tune up” box in the top-right area of the page.
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Confirm the refresh
In the confirmation window, click “Refresh Firefox” again. This removes extensions, themes, and customized settings — the usual hiding places for browser hijackers — while keeping your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords safe.
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Click “Finish”
Firefox will close, reset itself to default settings, and reopen with a window listing the information that was restored. Click “Finish“. Then test Firefox before you add back any extensions.
About the “Old Firefox Data” folder: Firefox saves a copy of your old profile on your desktop. If something you need is missing after the reset, you can recover it from this folder. Otherwise, delete the folder — it contains sensitive data like passwords and cookies, and may also still hold the malicious files you just removed.
Reset Microsoft Edge to default settings
We will now reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings to their default. This will reset your startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It will also disable all extensions and clear temporary data like cookies. Your favorites, history, and saved passwords will not be cleared.
Updated for Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 11 — July 2026.
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Open the Edge menu and click “Settings”
Open Microsoft Edge. In the top-right corner, click the three-dot (…) icon, then click Settings.
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Prevent the unwanted settings from returning through Edge Sync
If you are signed in to Microsoft Edge, a bad setting or extension may be stored in your Microsoft account and return after the reset.
Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
edge://settings/profiles/syncOn the Sync page, turn off these two options:
- Settings
- Extensions
You can leave Favorites and Passwords turned on.
If Edge says that sync is already off, simply continue to the next step.
Important: Edge Sync settings are separate for each profile. If you use more than one Edge profile, switch to each affected profile and repeat this step.
You do not need to sign out of your Microsoft account or delete the Edge profile.
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Open “Reset settings”
In the left sidebar, click Reset settings.
You can also open the reset page directly. Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
edge://settings/reset
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Click “Restore settings to their default values”
Click Restore settings to their default values.
-
Confirm the reset
In the confirmation dialog, click Reset.
This resets the startup page, new tab page, search engine, and pinned tabs. It also disables all extensions and clears temporary site data, such as cookies.
Don’t worry: your favorites, browsing history, and saved passwords will not be deleted.
-
Check your extensions before turning them back on
Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
edge://extensionsRemove any extension you do not recognize or no longer use. Pay particular attention to extensions related to search, coupons, shopping, PDF conversion, browser protection, new tabs, or video downloading.
Do not turn all extensions back on at the same time. Enable only the extensions you recognize and trust.
-
Select a trusted search engine
Copy the following address, paste it into the Edge address bar, and press Enter:
edge://settings/searchEnginesSelect Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, or another search provider you trust and make it the default. This address opens the list of search engines; the default is set one page back, on Address bar and search, under Search engine used in the address bar.
Remove any unknown search engines from the list, especially providers with strange names or addresses that you did not add yourself: click More actions (…) next to the engine and remove it.
Restart Edge and perform a search from the address bar. If searches are no longer redirected, you can stop here.
-
If the redirect remains, clean the corrupted search data without deleting the Edge profile
Use this additional step only if Edge continues to redirect searches after the normal reset.
This command cleans the search-engine database from every local Edge profile while keeping your favorites, saved passwords, browsing history, cookies, and profiles.
Before continuing: save anything you are working on because the command will close Microsoft Edge.
- Open the Windows Start menu.
- Type PowerShell.
- Open Windows PowerShell. Administrator access is not required.
- Copy the entire command below.
- Paste it into PowerShell and press Enter.
$stamp = Get-Date -Format "yyyyMMdd-HHmmss" $root = Join-Path $env:LOCALAPPDATA "Microsoft\Edge\User Data" Get-Process -Name msedge -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Stop-Process -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue Start-Sleep -Seconds 2 if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $root)) { Write-Host "The Microsoft Edge profile folder was not found:" Write-Host $root return } $profiles = Get-ChildItem -LiteralPath $root -Directory | Where-Object { $_.Name -eq "Default" -or $_.Name -match "^Profile \d+$" } $movedFiles = 0 foreach ($profile in $profiles) { foreach ($name in @( "Web Data", "Web Data-journal", "Web Data-wal", "Web Data-shm" )) { $file = Join-Path $profile.FullName $name if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $file) { $backup = "$file.search-reset-backup-$stamp" try { Move-Item -LiteralPath $file -Destination $backup -ErrorAction Stop Write-Host "Cleaned: $($profile.Name)\$name" $movedFiles++ } catch { Write-Warning "Could not clean: $file" } } } } Write-Host "" if ($movedFiles -gt 0) { Write-Host "Microsoft Edge search data has been cleaned." -ForegroundColor Green Write-Host "You can now reopen Microsoft Edge." } else { Write-Host "No Edge search database files were found." -ForegroundColor Yellow }The command does not permanently delete the original files. It renames them as backup files, and Edge creates a clean search database when it starts again.
Note: this additional cleanup may also reset saved form-fill suggestions, saved addresses, payment cards saved only on this computer, and manually added search engines. It does not delete favorites, passwords, or browsing history.
-
Reopen Edge and test the browser
Open Microsoft Edge again, visit edge://settings/searchEngines, and select your preferred search engine (one page back, on Address bar and search, under Search engine used in the address bar).
Perform several searches from the address bar to confirm that the redirect is gone.
Keep synchronization for Settings and Extensions turned off until you are certain that the computer and extensions are clean. If you enable them again, turn them on one at a time and test Edge after each change.
-
If Edge still redirects your searches
Open edge://policy. If this is your personal computer and Edge displays unknown policies such as ExtensionInstallForcelist or DefaultSearchProvider, the hijacker may be installed outside the browser profile.
In that situation, continue with the next malware-removal steps and run a complete antivirus scan. If the computer belongs to a company or school, contact its IT administrator before changing any policies.
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to remove malware and unwanted programs
In this third step, we will install Malwarebytes to scan and remove any infections, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that may be present on your computer.
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
-
Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
-
When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
-
On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
-
Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan
You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.
If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
STEP 4: Use HitmanPro to scan your computer for badware
In this next step, we will scan the computer with HitmanPro to check for any other malicious programs that may be installed on your device.
HitmanPro is a second-opinion scanner — it’s designed to catch what your main antivirus might have missed. Instead of relying on a single detection engine, it checks the behavior of files in the locations where malware usually hides. Anything suspicious is checked online, where it’s analyzed by several antivirus engines in HitmanPro’s Scan Cloud.
Good news: scanning is completely free, with no limits. You only need a license when it’s time to remove what was found — and even then, you can activate a free one-time 30-day trial to remove what it finds at no cost. The trial works once per computer. After that, removal needs a paid license, and the purchase screen shows the current price.
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Download HitmanPro
Click the button below to download HitmanPro. Remember — the scan is free, so you have nothing to lose by checking your PC.
Download HitmanProFree scan. Removing threats needs the free 30-day trial. Opens the official HitmanPro page in a new tab.
HitmanProSecond-opinion malware scanner from Sophos -
Install HitmanPro
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the file “hitmanpro_x64.exe”. (On 32-bit Windows 10, the file is named “hitmanpro.exe”.)
If a User Account Control pop-up asks whether HitmanPro can make changes to your device, click “Yes” to continue.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts
On the HitmanPro start screen, click “Next” to begin the system scan. No lengthy setup required — it goes straight to work.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
HitmanPro will now check your computer for malicious programs. This usually takes just a few minutes thanks to its cloud-based scanning.
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Review the Results and Click “Next”
When the scan is done, HitmanPro will show you everything it found. Click “Next” to remove the detected threats.
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Click “Activate Free License”
To remove the malicious files, click the “Activate free license” button. This starts your free 30-day trial — no payment details needed — and unlocks the full cleanup.
When the removal is complete, HitmanPro will show a summary of everything it cleaned. Click Next, then click Reboot if prompted. If there’s no reboot prompt, click Close. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the HitmanPro log and ask for help in our forum.
STEP 5: Use AdwCleaner to remove adware and malicious browser policies
In this final step, we will use AdwCleaner to remove the malicious browser policies that were set by browser hijackers on your computer and delete malicious browser extensions.
AdwCleaner is a free on-demand scanner that specializes in adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted toolbars — the exact threats that mainstream antivirus programs often miss. It also includes tools that repair the damage malware leaves behind, like hijacked browser settings and malicious policies. It’s a quick scan that’s well worth running.
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Download AdwCleaner
Click the button below to download AdwCleaner — it’s free, portable, and requires no installation.
Download AdwCleanerOpens the official download page in a new tab.
Malwarebytes AdwCleanerRemoves adware and unwanted programs at no cost -
Run AdwCleaner
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the file named “adwcleaner.exe“. There’s no installation — the program starts right away.
If Windows asks whether you want to allow AdwCleaner to run, click “Yes“. When the license agreement appears, click I agree to continue.
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Leave “Reset Chrome policies” off unless you need it
AdwCleaner can reset Chrome policies, the settings that malware sometimes uses to lock your browser so you can’t change it back. This option removes every Chrome policy, including legitimate ones set by an employer, a school, or parental-control software, so leave it off for a normal scan.
AdwCleaner applies this option only if you run Basic Repair at the end of the cleanup. Malwarebytes advises running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to, and it also runs every other repair action that is turned on in the same list. If this is your own personal PC and chrome://policy in Chrome lists policies you didn’t set, ask for help in our forum instead. On a work or school computer, ask the IT administrator.
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Start the Scan
Click “Dashboard” on the left side of the window, then click the “Scan Now” button.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
AdwCleaner will now check your computer for adware and other malware. This usually takes only a few minutes — it’s one of the fastest scanners around.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan finishes, AdwCleaner lists everything it found. Review the list and uncheck any program you installed on purpose and want to keep, then click Next. If AdwCleaner also found preinstalled software, it shows that list next. Review it the same way, then click “Quarantine“. Older versions show the Quarantine button on the first list, as in the image below.
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Click “Continue” to Finish the Cleanup
Save any open work first — AdwCleaner needs to close your open programs before it can clean. When you’re ready, click the “Continue” button.
AdwCleaner will now move the selected items to quarantine. If it asks you to restart your PC, allow it. When you’re back in Windows, AdwCleaner may offer a Basic Repair. Click Skip Basic Repair. Malwarebytes recommends running Basic Repair only when a support agent asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Mac
- STEP 1: Remove malicious profiles
- STEP 2: Delete malicious apps
- STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings
- STEP 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
STEP 1: Remove malicious profiles
Profiles are used by IT admins in businesses to control the behavior of their Macs. These profiles can configure a Mac to do many different things, some of which are not otherwise possible.
When it comes to home users, adware and browser hijackers are using the configuration profile to prevent users from removing malicious programs from the computer. This also prevents the user from changing that behavior in the browser’s settings.
In this first step, we will check your computer to see if any configuration profiles are installed. To do this, follow the below steps:
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Open “System Settings”
From the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of the screen, select System Settings. (On macOS Monterey and earlier, this is called System Preferences.)
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Look for “Profiles”
Where you find configuration profiles depends on your version of macOS:
macOS Sequoia (15) and later: click General in the sidebar, then click Device Management. You may need to scroll down.
macOS Ventura (13) and Sonoma (14): click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then click Profiles near the bottom.
macOS Monterey (12) and earlier: in System Preferences, click Profiles.
You can also type “Profiles” in the search box.
No profiles listed, or no Profiles section at all? That means no configuration profiles are installed on your Mac, which is completely normal. Skip ahead to the next step of this guide. -
Remove the malicious profiles
Malware uses configuration profiles to lock your browser settings — forcing a fake search engine or homepage on you and preventing you from changing it back. If you see a profile you don’t recognize (and your Mac isn’t managed by your workplace or school), select it, press the − (minus) button, and click Remove to confirm.
STEP 2: Delete malicious apps
In this second step, we will try to identify and remove any malicious apps and files that might be installed on your computer. Sometimes redirects or adware programs can have usable Uninstall entries that can be used to remove these programs.
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Quit the malicious programs
Check the Apple menu bar in the top-right corner of your screen. If you see an icon you don’t recognize, click it and select Quit. This stops the malware from running so it can’t interfere while we remove it.
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Open “Finder”
Click the Finder icon in your dock.
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Click on “Applications”
In the Finder sidebar, click “Applications“.
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Find and remove the malicious app
Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything suspicious — an app you don’t remember installing, or one with a strange or generic name. When you find it, right-click it and select “Move to Trash“.
Some known malicious programs to look for: SearchMine, TakeFresh, TopResults, FeedBack, ApplicationEvents, GeneralOpen, PowerLog, MessengerNow, ImagePrime, GeneralNetSearch, Reading Cursors, GlobalTechSearch, PDFOnline-express, See Scenic Elf, MatchKnowledge, Easy Speedtest, and WebDiscover. The names change constantly, though — so treat any app you can’t account for as suspect.
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Empty the Trash
Before you empty the Trash, check that it doesn’t hold anything else you want to keep, because emptying it permanently deletes everything in it. Then right-click the Trash icon in your dock and select “Empty Trash“.
Check login items and background apps
Malware often sets itself to start automatically. Open the Apple menu > System Settings, click General, then click Login Items & Extensions (called Login Items in macOS Ventura and Sonoma). Look for apps you don’t recognize in the list of items that open at login and in the list of apps allowed to run in the background. Select an unwanted item and click the Remove (−) button, or turn off its switch.
This check doesn’t delete any files. Note the names you find, because they help you spot related files in the next step.
Find and remove the malicious files
Malware on Mac uses launch agents and launch daemons — small files that automatically restart the malware every time you boot your Mac. We’ll check the four folders where they hide:
- Click the desktop to make sure you’re in Finder, then open the “Go” menu and click “Go to Folder“.
- Copy and paste each of the paths below into the window, one at a time, then double-click the matching folder that appears:
- /Library/LaunchAgents
- ~/Library/LaunchAgents
- /Library/Application Support
- /Library/LaunchDaemons
- In each folder, look for suspicious .plist files — typically named after the malware or with odd, random-looking names. Examples seen in past infections include “installmac.AppRemoval.plist”, “myppes.download.plist”, “mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist”, and “com.myppes.net-preferences.plist”. A name alone is not proof. For example, “com.adobe.fpsaud.plist” belongs to Adobe’s own Flash Player updater. When you find a malicious file, move it to the Trash — then empty the Trash again when you’re done.
Be careful: these folders also contain files belonging to legitimate apps — especially /Library/Application Support, where programs like Adobe, Google, and Microsoft store their data. Only delete files you’re confident are malicious. If you’re unsure about a file, search its exact name online first, or leave it in place and continue with the Malwarebytes scan later in this guide.
- Click the desktop to make sure you’re in Finder, then open the “Go” menu and click “Go to Folder“.
STEP 3: Reset browsers back to default settings
In this third step, we will remove spam push notifications and malicious extensions, and change to default any settings that might have been changed by malware.
For each browser that you have installed on your computer, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps to reset that browser.
Remove malicious extensions and settings from Safari
To remove malware from Safari we will check if there are any malicious extensions installed on your browser and what settings have been changed by this malicious program.
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Go to Safari’s “Settings”.
On the menu bar, click the “Safari” menu and select “Settings”. In older versions of Safari, this menu item is called “Preferences”.
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Check Homepage.
This will open a new window with your Safari settings, opened to the “General” tab. Some browser hijackers may change your default homepage, so in the Homepage field make sure it’s a web page you want to use as your start-up page.
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Click “Extensions”
Next, click on the “Extensions” tab.
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Find and uninstall malicious extensions.
The “Extensions” screen will be displayed with a list of all the extensions installed on Safari. Look out for any suspicious browser extension that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine extension. By default, there are no extensions installed on Safari so it’s safe to remove an extension
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Remove spam notifications ads
In Safari’s settings, click Websites, then click Notifications. Find the website that sends the spam notifications, then choose Deny from the menu next to it.
To stop other websites from asking, you can also deselect “Allow websites to ask for permission to send notifications“. This only blocks new requests. It doesn’t turn off websites you already allowed, so deny those websites as well.
You can also turn off a website’s notifications in System Settings > Notifications. Under Application Notifications, click the website and turn off Allow Notifications.
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Remove the data stored by the unwanted website.
In the Safari menu, choose “Settings…”, select “Privacy” at the top of the new window that appears, and then click the “Manage Website Data” button.
In the next dialog box, search for or select the website that showed the spam or redirects, then click “Remove“. Click Done when you’re finished.
Avoid “Remove All” unless you really need it. It deletes the data of every website and can sign you out of all of them.
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Empty Safari Caches.
From your Safari menu bar, click Safari and select Settings, then select the Advanced tab. Enable the checkbox “Show features for web developers“. In older versions of Safari, this checkbox is called “Show Develop menu in menu bar”.
From the menu bar select Develop, then click on Empty Caches as seen in the image below.
Remove malware from Chrome for Mac
To remove malware from Chrome for Mac we will reset the browser settings to their defaults. This restores the default search engine, homepage, new tab page, and pinned tabs. It also resets site permissions, clears cookies and site data, and turns off your extensions and themes. Your bookmarks and saved passwords are not deleted. If you’re signed in to Chrome, the reset applies on all devices where you’re signed in.
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Click on the three dots at the top right and go to Settings.
Click on Chrome’s main menu button, represented by three dots at the top right corner. Now click on the menu option labeled Settings, which will open the basic settings screen, as shown by the numbered box in the picture below.
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In the left sidebar, click on the “Reset settings” option.
In the left sidebar, click on “Reset settings“.
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Click “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
Now click on “Restore settings to their original defaults” as shown in the image below.
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Click “Reset settings” button.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, click on the “Reset settings” button.
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(Optional) Stop sync from bringing the problem back.
If a malicious extension or setting comes back after the reset, Chrome sync may be restoring it from your Google Account. Open Chrome Settings > You and Google. If you see Sync and Google services > Manage what you sync, choose Customize sync and turn off Settings and Extensions. In newer versions of Chrome, click your account name, then Choose what to save in your Google Account, and turn off the same two items. Then remove the unwanted extension again.Don’t use the “Delete data” or “Clear data” option on your Google Account’s Chrome data page to fix this. It deletes the Chrome data saved in your Google Account, such as synced bookmarks, passwords, and history, and you don’t need it to remove an extension.
Remove malware from Firefox for Mac
To remove malware from Firefox for Mac we will reset the browser settings to its default. The reset feature fixes many issues by restoring Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information like bookmarks, passwords, web form auto-fill information, browsing history, and open tabs.
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Go to the “Help and Report” menu.
Click on Firefox’s main menu button, represented by three horizontal lines. When the drop-down menu appears, select the option labeled “Help and Report“.
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Click “More troubleshooting information”.
Next click on the “More troubleshooting information” option. This opens the Troubleshooting Information page, as shown by the numbered box in the image below. You can also open it by typing about:support in the address bar.
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Click on “Refresh Firefox”
Click the “Refresh Firefox” button in the “Give Firefox a tune up” box in the upper-right corner of the “Troubleshooting Information” page.
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Confirm.
To continue, click on the “Refresh Firefox” button in the new confirmation window that opens.
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Click on “Finish”.
Firefox will close itself and will revert to its default settings. When it’s done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click on the “Finish“.
STEP 4: Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
In this final step, we will scan the computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to find and remove any malicious programs that might be installed on your Mac.
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from Android
- STEP 1: Uninstall malicious apps
- STEP 2: Stop spam notifications and redirects in your browser
- STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove malicious apps
STEP 1: Uninstall malicious apps
In this first step, we will check if any malicious apps are installed on your phone. Sometimes browser hijackers or adware apps can have usable Uninstall entries that can be used to remove these apps.
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone. On Pixel and some other phones, tap “See all apps” next.
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Find the malicious app.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the applications that are installed on your phone. Scroll through the list and look out for any suspicious app that could be behind all the drama – anything you don’t remember downloading or that doesn’t sound like a genuine program.
Most often, cyber criminals hide malware inside video or photo editing apps, weather apps, and camera apps.
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Uninstall the malicious app
When you find a suspicious or malicious app, tap on it to uninstall it. This won’t start the app but will open up the app details screen. If the app is currently running press the “Force stop” button, then tap on “Uninstall”.
A confirmation dialog should be displayed to confirm you want to uninstall the app, tap on “OK” to remove the malicious app from your phone.
STEP 2: Stop spam notifications and redirects in your browser
In this second step, we will stop spam notifications in your browser. If unwanted pages or redirects still appear after that, we will reset the browser by clearing its app storage. That is a last resort, because it can delete data that isn’t synced.
Android browsers don’t have a single “reset settings” button like browsers on a computer, but they do let you control what each website is allowed to do. Start with the least disruptive fix: block the spam site’s notifications in the browser’s settings. In Chrome, you can also delete cookies and site data: tap More (three dots) > Delete browsing data.
Clear the browser’s app storage only if unwanted pages or redirects keep coming back. It works like a full reset, but it also deletes data that isn’t synced, so treat it as a last resort.
Remove malware from Chrome for Android
First, block the spam site’s notifications:
- Open Chrome, tap the More button (three dots) in the top-right corner, and tap Settings.
- Tap Site settings, then tap Notifications.
- Find the spam site in the list and turn off the switch next to it, or tap the site and block its notifications. To stop other sites from asking, you can also turn off the switch at the top.
If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Chrome’s storage (last resort):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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Find and tap on Chrome.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Chrome app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Chrome’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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Tap “Manage Space”.
Under the storage settings, tap “Manage space” (called “Manage storage” on some phones). Don’t tap “Clear cache”, because it doesn’t reset Chrome.
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Tap “Clear all data”.
Tap “Clear all data” to delete all Chrome’s data including accounts, bookmarks, and your settings to reset the default settings.
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Confirm by tapping “Ok”.
A confirmation dialog should now be displayed, detailing the components that will be restored to their default state should you continue with the reset process. To complete the restoration process, tap “Ok“.
Remove malware from Firefox for Android
First, block the spam site’s notifications:
- Open Firefox, tap the menu button (three dots), and tap Settings.
- Tap Site permissions, then tap Exceptions.
- Tap the spam site, then set Notification to Blocked.
- Optional: to stop other sites from asking, go back to Site permissions, tap Notification, and choose Blocked.
If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Firefox’s storage (last resort):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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Find and tap on Firefox.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Firefox app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Firefox’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.
Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
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Confirm by tapping “OK”.
A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Firefox again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.
Remove malware from the Opera browser
First, block the spam site’s notifications:
- Open Opera, open the Opera menu, and tap Settings.
- Tap Site settings, then tap Notifications.
- Find the spam site and block it. Don’t just remove it from the list, because a removed site can ask again.
If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Opera’s storage (last resort):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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Find and tap on Opera.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Opera app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Opera’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.
Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
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Confirm by tapping “OK”.
A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Opera again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.
Remove malware from Samsung Internet
First, block the spam site’s notifications:
- Open your phone’s Settings app and tap Notifications.
- Tap App notifications, then tap Samsung Internet.
- Under Sites, turn off the switch for the spam website.
If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Samsung Internet’s storage (last resort):
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Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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Find and tap on Samsung Internet.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Samsung Internet app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
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Tap “Storage”.
When Samsung Internet’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.
Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
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Confirm by tapping “OK”.
A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Samsung Internet again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.
Remove malware from Microsoft Edge for Android
First, block the spam site’s notifications:
- Open Microsoft Edge, tap the menu button (three dots) at the bottom of the screen, and tap Settings.
- Tap Site permissions, then tap Notifications. In some versions, Site permissions is inside Privacy and security.
- Find the spam site in the list of allowed sites and switch it to Block.
If unwanted pages or redirects keep appearing, clear Microsoft Edge’s storage (last resort):
-
Open the “Settings” menu.
Tap on the “Settings” app from your phone menu or home screen.
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Tap on “Apps”.
When the “Settings” menu opens, tap on “Apps” to see all the installed applications on your phone.
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Find and tap on Microsoft Edge.
The “Apps” screen will be displayed with a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Scroll through the list until you find the Microsoft Edge app, then tap on it to open the app’s details.
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Tap “Storage”.
When the Microsoft Edge’s app info menu is displayed, tap on “Storage” (on Pixel phones, “Storage & cache“).
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Tap “Clear storage” or “Clear data”.
Tap “Clear storage” (called “Clear data” on Samsung phones). If you see “Manage space” or “Manage storage” instead, tap it, then tap “Clear all data“. Don’t use “Clear cache” for this step, because it doesn’t reset the browser.
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Confirm by tapping “OK”.
A confirmation dialog will appear. Tap “OK” or “Delete” to finish. When you open Microsoft Edge again, sign back in and turn sync back on if you use it.
STEP 3: Use Malwarebytes for Android to remove malicious apps
In this final step, we will install Malwarebytes for Android to scan and remove malicious apps from your phone or tablet.
Malwarebytes for Android scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.
Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
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Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Remove the detected apps.
When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
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Restart your phone.
When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
- Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.
- Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
- Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
- On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
- If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.
Remove Unwanted Apps and Malware from iPhone and iPad
STEP 1: Clean your browser
First, we’ll clean Safari using the built-in “Clear History and Website Data” feature. This removes your browsing history, cookies, and cached data — including the stored data that scam sites use to keep showing you pop-ups and redirects. Don’t worry: this won’t delete your photos, apps, or saved passwords, but it will sign you out of websites. To keep other sites signed in, you can remove only the scam site’s data instead: go to Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Website Data, swipe left on the site, and tap Delete.
- Don’t tap anything inside the scam page or pop-up — the buttons are designed to trick you. Instead, tap the tabs icon in the lower-right corner of Safari, as shown below.
- Tap the X on the malicious tab (or swipe it up) to close it safely.
- Open the Settings app.
- Turn on Airplane Mode. This temporarily disconnects your iPhone from the internet, so the scam site can’t load anything while we clean up. We’ll turn it back off at the end.
- Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Safari. On iOS 17 and earlier, Safari is listed directly in Settings.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data.
- If you’re asked to choose a timeframe, choose All history, then tap Clear History. On older iOS versions, tap “Clear History and Data” in the pop-up.
- While you’re still in Safari settings, turn on Block Pop-ups and Fraudulent Website Warning. These two switches stop most scam pages before they can even load.
- Tap Settings in the upper-left corner to return to the main Settings menu.
- Turn Airplane Mode back off to reconnect your iPhone to the internet.
STEP 2: Delete unwanted apps
Next, we’ll remove any suspicious apps from your iPhone. If a shady website redirected you to the App Store and you installed an app — or you spot an app you don’t remember downloading — delete it now:
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On the home screen, tap and hold the unwanted app’s icon until the icons start to wiggle.
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Tap the minus (–) badge in the corner of the app icon, then tap Delete App. (On older iOS versions, this badge appears as an “X”.)
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Confirm by tapping “Delete“.
Now reopen Safari and check whether the pop-ups have stopped.
To stop these scam pages from coming back, we recommend installing an ad blocker like AdGuard. It blocks the malicious ads and redirects that cause these pop-ups in the first place.
Still having issues after completing these steps? Try one of the following:
- Run a scan with Malwarebytes for iOS
- Ask for help in our free Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum — our team will assist you personally.
When you’ve finished these steps, check whether the pop-ups or other problems have stopped.
What To Do If You Have Fallen Victim to This Scam
If you called the number, shared information, installed remote access software, or sent money, take action quickly. Do not blame yourself. These scams are designed to create panic, and the people behind them are trained to sound convincing.
Here is what to do next.
1. Stop All Contact With the Scammers
Hang up the phone and do not answer further calls from the same number or related numbers.
Do not reply to follow-up texts. Do not argue with the scammers. Do not tell them you know it is a scam. Simply stop communicating.
Block the phone number that contacted you.
2. Do Not Reply STOP
Even though the message says “Reply STOP to decline future messages,” do not reply.
That line is commonly used to make scam texts look legitimate. Replying may confirm that your phone number is active, which can lead to more scam attempts.
Instead, use your phone’s built-in option to report junk or spam.
3. Check Your Apple ID Directly
Go directly to your Apple ID settings. Do not use any links or phone numbers from the text.
On an iPhone, open:
Settings > Your Name > Sign-In & Security
Review your account carefully. Look for unknown devices, unfamiliar phone numbers, suspicious recovery emails, or unexpected changes.
Change your Apple ID password if you shared any information or if you are unsure whether the account is safe.
4. Remove Unknown Devices From Your Apple Account
If you see a device you do not recognize, remove it from your Apple ID.
Unknown devices can indicate that someone gained access or attempted to link your account elsewhere.
After removing suspicious devices, change your password again and make sure two-factor authentication is enabled.
5. Change Important Passwords From a Clean Device
If you shared passwords or gave remote access to your phone or computer, change your passwords from a device the scammer did not access.
Start with:
- Apple ID
- Email account
- Bank account
- Credit card account
- Password manager
- PayPal, Cash App, Venmo, or Zelle
- Shopping accounts linked to saved cards
- Social media accounts
Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Do not reuse the same password across multiple services.
6. Revoke Remote Access Immediately
If you installed AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, or another remote access app, disconnect your device from the internet first.
Then uninstall the software.
After uninstalling it, restart the device. If the scammer accessed a computer, run a full scan with trusted security software.
Also check whether any unknown programs were installed during the session.
7. Contact Your Bank or Card Issuer
If you opened your bank account during the call, shared card details, sent money, or suspect the scammer saw financial information, contact your bank immediately.
Tell them you were targeted by a fake Apple Pay support scam.
Ask them to:
- Review recent transactions
- Block suspicious payments
- Replace your card if needed
- Secure online banking access
- Add extra verification to your account
- Help dispute unauthorized charges
The sooner you contact your bank, the better your chances of limiting damage.
8. Report Gift Card Fraud Quickly
If you bought gift cards and gave the codes to the scammer, contact the gift card company immediately.
Provide the receipt, card numbers, purchase location, time of purchase, and any messages or phone numbers connected to the scam.
If the cards have not been redeemed yet, the company may be able to freeze the balance. If they have already been used, recovery may be difficult, but reporting is still important.
9. Report the Scam Text
Report the message through your phone’s spam reporting feature.
You can also forward suspicious texts to 7726, which many mobile carriers use for spam reporting.
In the United States, you can report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report internet-related scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
These reports help authorities and carriers track scam campaigns.
10. Preserve Evidence
Do not delete everything immediately.
Save:
- Screenshots of the text message
- The phone number used
- Call logs
- Any remote access app names
- Gift card receipts
- Bank transaction records
- Emails or follow-up texts
- Notes about what the scammer said
This information may help your bank, card issuer, gift card company, mobile carrier, or law enforcement.
11. Watch for Follow-Up Scams
After one scam attempt, you may receive more.
Scammers sometimes sell or reuse lists of people who answered calls, replied to messages, or sent money. You may receive fake bank alerts, fake recovery offers, fake Apple messages, or calls claiming to help you get your money back.
Be especially careful with anyone who contacts you claiming they can recover lost funds for a fee. Recovery scams are common after gift card, crypto, and tech support fraud.
12. Talk to Someone You Trust
If you lost money or shared sensitive information, talk to a trusted family member, friend, or professional.
Scammers rely on embarrassment and secrecy. They want victims to stay quiet. But speaking up helps you act faster and reduces the chance of further damage.
There is no shame in being targeted. These messages are carefully designed to manipulate normal people under pressure.
The Bottom Line
The $143.95 Apple Pay Transaction Text Scam is a fake Apple Pay security message designed to make you call a fraudulent support number. The transaction is not confirmed by the text itself, and the phone number should not be trusted.
The safest response is simple: do not call, do not reply, and do not share information. Check your Apple ID and bank account directly through official channels, then block and report the message.
If you already called or shared details, act quickly. Secure your Apple ID, remove remote access tools, contact your bank, change passwords, and preserve evidence. Fast action can reduce the damage and help prevent the scammers from reaching you again.
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