Malicious Google Ads Are Tricking Mac Users Into Thinking Their Computers Are Infected

A wave of deceptive online advertisements is targeting internet users with fake warnings claiming their computers, including Macs, have been infected with malware, according to a report from Ars Technica.

The ads reportedly appear through legitimate ad networks, including Google's, and are designed to mimic the look of genuine security alerts. Victims who click on them can find themselves redirected to pages that lock up their browser or display alarming pop-up messages urging immediate action.

How the scam works

These so-called "scareware" campaigns typically try to convince a victim that their device is compromised, often instructing them to call a phone number for "technical support" or to download software that claims to remove the supposed threat. In reality, the goal is usually to extract payment, personal information, or to get the victim to install unwanted or harmful software.

Mac users have traditionally been considered less frequent targets of such scams compared with Windows users, but the report notes that scareware ads are increasingly convincing enough to catch Apple device owners off guard as well.

What to do

Security researchers generally advise against calling any phone number that appears in a browser pop-up warning, and recommend closing the browser tab or window using a force-quit if necessary, rather than clicking anything within the alert. Keeping browsers and operating systems updated, and being skeptical of ads that claim to detect infections, remain among the most effective defenses against this type of scam.