How to remove the FBI Mac OS X virus (MoneyPak Scam)

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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If your Mac OS X browser is locked, and you are seeing a “All Activities of this computer has been recorded. All your files are encrypted” notification from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), then your Safari web browser has been hijacked.
FBI Mac OS X Safari ransomware
For years, Windows users have been plagued by ransomware demanding several hundred dollars to unlock their computers.
The bad guys know there is a growing market of Apple consumers who, for the most part, feel pretty safe about browsing the Internet on a Mac without the need for any security product.
Cyber-criminals, well known for not re-inventing the wheel, have ‘ported’ the latest ransomware to OS X, not by using some complicated exploit but rather leveraging the browser and its ‘restore from crash’ feature.
The FBI Mac OS X ransomware page is being pushed onto unsuspecting users browsing regular sites but in particular when searching for popular keywords.

The FBI Mac OS X MoneyPak virus will display a bogus notification that pretends to be from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and states that your computer has been blocked due to it being involved with the distribution of pornographic material, SPAM and copyrighted content.

The FBI Mac OS X virus will hijack your Safari browser, so whenever you’ll open this program, it will display instead a lock screen asking you to pay a non-existing fine of  $300 in the form of a MoneyPak voucher.
A quick look at the address bar shows an interesting URL: fbi.gov.id657546456-3999456674.k8381 . com, the bad guys are clearly trying to fool users.

Furthermore, to make this alert seem more authentic, this virus also has the ability to access your installed webcam, so that the bogus FBI Mac OS X notification shows what is happening in the room.

If your computer is infected with the FBI Mac OS X MoneyPak virus, then you will see the following Safari web page:
[Image: FBI Mac OS X virus]
The message displayed by the threat can be localized depending on the user’s location, with text written in the appropriate language.

HE FBI FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CYBER DEPARTMENT

All activities of this computer have been recorded
All your files are encrypted. Don’t try to unlock your computer!
Your browser has been blocked due at least one of the reasons specified below.

You have been subjected to violation of Copyright and Related Rights Law (Video, Music, Software) and illegally using or distributing copyrighted contents, thus infringing Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8, also known as the Copyright of the Criminal Code of United States of America. Article 1, Section 8, Cause 8of the Criminal Code provides for a fine of two to five hundred minimal wages or a deprivation of liberty for two to eight years.
You have been viewing or distributing prohibited Pornographic content (Child Porno photos and etc were found on your computer). Thus violating article 202 of the Criminal Code of United States of America, Article 202 of the Criminal Code provides for a deprivation of liberty for four to twelve years.
Illegal access has been initiated from your PC with ought your knowledge or consent, your PC may be infected by malware, thus you are violating the law on Neglectful Use of Personal Computer. Articles 210 of the Criminal Code provides for a fine up to $100,000 and/or deprivation of liberty for four to nine years. Pursuant to the amendment of Criminal Code of United States of America of May 28, 2011, this law infringement (if it is not repeated – first time) may be considered as conditional in case you pay the fine of the States.
To unlock your computer and to avoid other legal consequences, you are obligated to pay a release fee of $300. Payable through GreenDot MoneyPak (you have to purchase MoneyPak card. load it with $300 and enter the code). You can buy the code at any shop or gas station. MoneyPak is available at the stores nationwide.
When you pay the fine, your browser will be unblocked in 3 to 12 hours after the money is put into the States’s account. Please note: Fine may only be paid within 12 hours. As soon as 12 hours elapse, the possibility to pay the fine expires. All PC data will be detained and criminal procedures will be initiated against you if the fine is not paid.

The FBI Mac OS X lock screen is a scam, and you should ignore any alerts that this malicious software might generate.

Under no circumstance should you send any MoneyPak code 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 “FBI Mac OS X” browser virus from Apple Mac OS X (Removal Guide)

This page is a comprehensive guide, which will remove the “FBI Mac OS X” 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 FBI Mac OS X malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by resetting Safari to its default settings
OPTION 2: Remove FBI Mac OS X browser hijacker Apple Mac OS X virus using Force Quit for your browser
OPTION 3: Remove FBI Mac OS X malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by disabling Javascript

OPTION 1: Remove FBI Mac OS X malicious web page from Apple Mac OS X by resetting Safari to its default settings

To remove the FBI Mac OS X 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 FBI Mac OS X 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 FBI Mac OS X 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 FBI Mac OS X browser hijacker.
    [Image: Click on the Force Quit button to remove FBI Mac OS X 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 FBI Mac OS X 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 FBI Mac OS X and browser away.
    [Image: Disable Javascript in Safari]
    Once you have closed FBI Mac OS X, 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.

45 thoughts on “How to remove the FBI Mac OS X virus (MoneyPak Scam)”

  1. I used the reset Safari and it worked. I have got this message several times before and I either quickly exited the window or just turned the Internet connection off and I got it to work. This time that did not work. Thanks for the very useful post.

  2. Hi there. What do I do if my safari shuts itself down, meaning I can’t even get onto the drop down menu?

  4. OK I force closed my browser, but how do I know that the malware is removed? Does it not actually instal on the mac computer?

  7. I had the same issue….just do this.
    Press the “shift” key then start Safari.
    This will prevent Safari from opening up with the previous website….it will default to your home page.
    Then remember to reset Safari.

  9. Where’s the Option 3: have a nifty way to disable popups and javascript on the page, period, maybe even completely clear the DOM and any events in memory for that page, so you don’t lose what you were doing on the other 30 tabs you had opened?

  10. Hello JD,
    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!

  11. I was looking on Etsy when this popped up on my screen. It wasn’t this exact picture, but it was all the same wording etc. Totally freaked me out, but it works perfectly. I had to reset and force quit safari…& I did it a few times just to be sure. I restarted my computer after it was away & it has stayed away! Thank you!!!! :-)

  12. Thanks so much my husband was so freaked out! He had clicked on something that accidentally brought up awful pictures and was scared to death! Thanks so much!

  14. Thank you so much! I was freaking out because I’m a teen and I’d get in a ton of trouble for having to pay the government $300.

  15. when i saw the virus message i just restarted my computer, is there anyway to see if the virus is gone?

  17. Dude thank you so much! I’ve been battling this the past couple hours and couldnt find the right solution. this totally worked thanks

  19. Crisy – i also freaked out. I was on a humor/social website and clicked “refresh” i think, and suddenly this popped up… accusing me of child pornography and copyright infringement, even if it was someone else using my computer without my knowledge, and I would still be responsible for it… I started to panic… then read a little further and did some research, and realized it was a huge scam. I don’t think it’s a virus (as I am definitely more interested in understanding them now…) I think it’s technically “malware” which means (I’m not a computer expert though!) that it gets into your browser by clicking on something or typing in a really common search word in your search engine or something… Anyway, hope you didn’t have to pay, and the people who pull this crap should be ashamed of themselves!!! It’s the timer, right? They put that timer on the screen till “if you don’t pay then you go to jail” that freaks you out… but the legal system does not work like that!

  20. i looked on some other sites about this, just because it was alarming when it happened to my computer! apparently a lot of people do end up paying “just in case” they “accidentally” did something wrong… the newest one I saw said “even if you didn’t do this, and someone else used your computer without your knowledge, it’s still your fault due to some federal law/criminal code” (which they state but I don’t know if it’s accurate) with a timer counting down to when you can no longer pay to “get rid of these illegal things” or face jail time… at which point, I realized, no legitimate government system would threaten to prosecute you while asking you to bribe them like this… they try to scare you into paying. I almost did… till i realized it looked like a scam. So glad there are pages to help with this stuff!!! my computer is safe again

  21. THANK YOU!
    any way to check if it’s definitely removed? Safari’s working again though. phew..

  27. Any one know a way to block that page from coming up in the first place? After it happened the first time I tried editing my hosts file to block the page but it will still load and lock up my browser if i copy the url into the address bar.

  28. This FBI scam popped up on my computer as I was searching for cycling apparel?? However it didn’t freeze up my computer. I simply closed “Safari,” cleared history. Could I still have this virus on my computer even though it never was frozen up / seized? Thanks for all you are doing.

  30. Hello,
    This is 100% a scam, you have nothing to fear about. Just remove that malicious javascript page, and then you are good to go. DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY TO THESE CYBER CRIMINALS!

  31. You’re a life saver! I was browsing online and some pornography popped up with young looking people in it. I quickly exited out and then all of the sudden this stupid thing came up and scared the shit out of me! I almost went to walmart to get one of those damn cards. I’m still in a bit of shock but so relieved that this is fake… Once I do these steps, the virus is completely gone right??? I’ve NEVER had a virus before so this was pretty terrifying!

  32. So this is truly a scam right?? I’m genuinely terrified by it, I broke down crying and went to walmart to get a card… I should have looked at this first… This is truly just a virus and not a real FBI thing right?? I’ve never had a virus before in my life…

  34. Hello,
    Yes, that ‘s it. Basically this “infection” is nothing more than a malicious javascript code, so there aren’t any malicious files on your Apple.
    Stay safe!

  36. 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!

  37. I reset my browser and force quit, neither is working the page still pops up and locks my safari browser. I’m able to use chrome but can’t do anything with safari. any suggestions for that?

  38. thanks i thought that some of what i was watching was child porn for a second good thing im not a moron and checked this out

  39. Can you please try the following options:
    Hold down Command-Shift-Option-Escape (OR
    Command+Alt+Escape) for three seconds .
    This should force quit your application, and make that annoying page disappear.

    Let me know if it works…. Stay safe!

  44. Hello,
    If you do not see the FBI lock screen on your Safari browser, then you should be fine. So you do not need to reset Safari to its default settings!
    Stay safe!

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