Remove “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” Pop-ups

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Written by: Stelian Pilici

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The “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-up is a browser-based advertisement that uses fake alerts stating that your device is under attack or infected to trick you into installing unwanted apps or subscribing to unneeded paid services. 

Image: iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity Fake Alerts

What is the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-up?

The “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-up is a scam that claims your iPhone has been hacked and that your Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram accounts will be compromised if you don’t take immediate action. The goal of this scam is to trick you into installing unwanted apps or subscribing to unnecessary paid services.
It is important to be aware that Apple will never send a message like this to its users, and that such messages should be ignored. If you are concerned about the security of your device, it is always best to contact Apple directly or visit an Apple store for assistance.

When the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-up ad is displayed in your browser it will show this message:

WARNING!
iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity by 13 viruses!
We have detected that your Browser is (67.5%) DAMAGED by BROWSER TROJAN VIRUSES picked up while surfing recent corrupted sites.
Immediate action is required to prevent it from spreading and infecting sensitive data like your Facebook account, Whatsapp messages photos and private applications.
Here is how you can solve this in just a few seconds (Step by Step)
Step 1: Tap REMOVE VIRUS to install DotBlock from the App Store.
Step 2: Open the application to activate the latest update and remove any older (Infected) versions.

The “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-up has nothing to do with Apple and anything it states is just false. If you have been redirected to the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” ads, we recommend closing the page and do not enter any personal information.

Why am I seeing the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-up ads?

You are seeing the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-ups because of spam push notification ads, or a site that you have visited has redirected you to this page.

Less than reputable sites can display malicious ads that redirect your browser to the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” fake alert messages to generate advertising revenue. If this happens, you can close the page and install an ad blocker like AdGuard to block the malicious ads.

If your computer starts redirecting you to the “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” sites for no reason then you can reset your browser to its factory settings.

Removal Instructions for “iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” Pop-up

This malware removal guide may appear overwhelming due to the number of steps and numerous programs that are being used. We have only written it this way to provide clear, detailed, and easy-to-understand instructions that anyone can use to remove malware for free.
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.
To remove the iPhone Locked Due to Illegal Activity” pop-ups, follow these steps:

STEP 1: Clean your browser

In this first step, we will clean your Safari browser by using the built-in “Clear History and Website Data” feature.
“Clear History and Website Data” allows you to delete the browsing history and website data that is stored on your device. This can include information such as the websites you have visited, your search history, and any data that has been stored by websites you have visited, such as cookies and cache.

  1. Do not tap on the malicious browser window or pop-ups. Instead, tap on the tab icon located in the lower right corner of the screen, as shown in the image below.
    Tabs Icon
  2. Tap the X button on the tab or swipe up to safely close it.
    Tap X to close malicious site
  3. Tap the Settings app.
    Open Settings App
  4. Toggle on Airplane Mode to temporarily disconnect your phone from the internet and block unwanted access.
    Enable Airplane Mode
  5. Scroll down and tap Safari.
    Tap Safari
  6. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
    Tap Clear History
  7. Confirm that you want to clear the history and data by tapping “Clear History and Data” in the pop-up window.
    Tap to confirm
  8. While in Safari settings, make sure to toggle on Block Pop-ups and Fraudulent Website Warning.
    Enable Popup Blocker
  9. Tap on Settings in the upper-left corner to return to the main Settings menu.
    Settings Shortcut
  10. Toggle Airplane Mode back off to re-connect your phone to the internet.
    Disable Airplane Mode

STEP 2: Delete unwanted apps

In the next step, we will remove any potentially unwanted apps that may be installed on your iPhone. If you have downloaded an app after being redirected to the App Store by suspicious websites, it is recommended to delete it.

  1. On the home screen, tap and hold on the app icon until all of the icons start to wiggle.

  2. Tap the “X” button that appears on the top left corner of the app icon.

  3. Confirm that you want to delete the app by tapping “Delete”.

That’s it, your iPhone should be clean and you can continue browsing the Internet. We recommend that you install an ad blocker like AdGuard to block the malicious ads.

If you continue to have malware related issues with your device after completing the above steps, we recommend to take one of these actions:

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.

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