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Kiki61

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 19, 2012
41
3
Dumb question (I'm good at these), but here it goes.

Earlier tonight I was browsing the web on my Iphone (Iphone 11/ IOS 15.7) when I came across what I know now was a sketchy website. When I landed on the site, a popup immediately directed me to download a VPN. Of course I know better than to do that, so I went to clear out the browser history. However, while my moving to do that, my finger touched outside of the popup screen and on the website itself (which was "greyed out", so to speak), and I was redirected to the appstore (as before I didn't click on the popup itself), or to at least what appeared was the Appstore. Instead of just shutting the phone down (mistake), I clicked the back button on the Appstore window, and was directed back to the Appstore landing page.

Anyway, when I realized what I should (and shouldn't have) done, I shut down the Iphone, and rebooted it back up and went back to the Appstore. I checked the download history, and nothing was downloaded, and while there I did a search and there was indeed a page for that specific app. I checked the download folder on my Iphone, and there was nothing there. Lastly, I checked Iverify, and it claimed there were no signs of compromise.

Therefore, I was wondering if there was anything to worry about, as was it just an underhanded way to get you to the Appstore to download their app, was it an attempt to capture Appstore credentials, or was the Appstore screen a coverup while it was trying to download software from another site.

Thanks again, as any help is greatly appreciated.
 

now i see it

macrumors G4
Jan 2, 2002
11,250
24,269
I get “your iPhone is hacked blah blah blah” pop up messages from even legitimate websites. They’re coming from unscrupulous ad servers.

Just quit Safari, go into Safari settings and delete all website data. That always gets rid of those pesky popups.

1. Your iPhone isn’t hacked - but they want you to think it is so you’ll download their malware app.
 
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russell_314

macrumors 604
Feb 10, 2019
6,672
10,273
USA
Was going through my Iphone and checking my Download folder, and came across a new file which I don't recall downlaoding. It was a 4KB HTML file with random number for a name. Realizing it was potential trouble, I was in the process of deleting it when my clumsy fingers inadvertently opened it. It was blank. So, how worried should I be? Have I inadvertently downloaded a virus/malware or given access to my iPhone to a hacker? I've heard some claim you can't get hacked or get a virus/malware from an HTML file, but someone obvious designed this to be downloaded, so I can't believe it would simply be an empty file. Anything I can do besides running IVerify to check and see if my phone has been compromised?

Thanks for any help. Been a trying time lately, and to have something like this happen on top of everything else is all I need.
You have several posts worried about getting hacked on your iPhone. This is virtually impossible if you're just an average citizen. It would take a state actor to hack your phone. You should know if you're important enough for that. For example if you're a diplomat, someone involved in government or anti government activities, or maybe a journalist covering such activities.

If that is you then consider turning on Lockdown Mode. If you're just an average citizen then you're fine.

 
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Kiki61

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 19, 2012
41
3
Thanks to everyone, and my apologies for trying everyone's patience. I sometimes have a tendency to overthink things, and take them to their absolute worst case conclusions. I also realize that much of the info I've come across deals with issues concerning either jailbroken and/or less secure systems such as Android, and doesn't apply to everyday users. So, while there's a need to be vigilant, just not excessively so.

Thanks again.
 
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