I remember about 2 years ago, I encountered a very odd “virus”

It was an popup on an iPhone 8 that was unlike any i’ve ever seen before, basically it was like a popup that wanted you to call a number, and it would give you the choice of calling or cancelling. It looked completely identical to Apple system popups, like the “low battery” types.

I’ve never seen anyone find out what is this weird virus. Does anyone here have a clue?

  • solftly@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Not every weird pop-up is a virus. It could literally just be something to get you to click, so that they can grab your browser cookies, show you some ads, and track you (which all websites do including Google, Amazon, etc.)

    If you run a website, you can make your pop-up look like whatever you want. Including photoshopping the official iPhone call pop-up, and using that. It’s your website after all.

    • Appletropicana@alien.topOPB
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      1 year ago

      I think i forgot to mention a VERY important detail which was that the popup functioned exactly like a normal apple popup and that it persisted even if the browser, tab, and device was completely closed. The persisting pop up also blocked the user from powering off the device. (Holding power button)

    • Appletropicana@alien.topOPB
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      1 year ago

      I think i forgot to mention a VERY important detail which was that the popup functioned exactly like a normal apple popup and that it persisted even if the browser, tab, and device was completely closed. The persisting pop up also blocked the user from powering off the device. (Holding power button)

  • Goddess-Bastet@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Was this via a browser? It sounds like one of those ‘your computer/device has a virus’ pop up scams Which ask you to call a number to remove the ‘virus’.

    • Appletropicana@alien.topOPB
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      1 year ago

      None of that sort, though similar. It came from entering a browser, yes, but the main difference was this pop up would stay persistent regardless of if your tabs were closed, heck even if your device was completely closed. Usually the ones you mentioned are a little more obvious to someone who has a keen eye, but this one seemed remarkably identical to apple’s popups.

      • Goddess-Bastet@alien.topB
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        1 year ago

        Is the pop up onscreen no matter whether the browser is open or closed? Is there any X to close it? If you can close it does it return?

    • Appletropicana@alien.topOPB
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      1 year ago

      None of that sort, though similar. It came from entering a browser, yes, but the main difference was this pop up would stay persistent regardless of if your tabs were closed, heck even if your device was completely closed. Usually the ones you mentioned are a little more obvious to someone who has a keen eye, but this one seemed remarkably identical to apple’s popups.