MacBook virus?

Question

Yes, I know IOS systems don't get viruses but, while using google, I got one of those virus messages that my computer was infected with a virus
and to call a phone number provided to have it removed. Of course I didn't call the number, but once I shut down the MacBook I can't restart it past this screen:
Thank you for any help!

Answer 1

There is no official call-in support popup in OS X that would take you to an Apple Support
answer to your issue; so whatever you did see, likely would not be helpful. On the other
hand, there are scams that you may find allow untoward and bad access to your Mac and
also give some pretenders access to your personal information. Some want you to pay a
huge fee while they (not Apple) meddle in your computer. Usually they do not fix anything.
You may need to see about starting the computer from an OS X Recovery and run the
OS X Utilities to access Disk Utility, and see if that can repair the hard disk drive. Also
there should be a startup manager so you can choose your installed OS X as boot disc
for the restart. You may also need to check & be certain the icon of Mac HD highlighted
to confirm it is selected as the Startup Volume, in system preferences in the running OS.
Sometimes a faltering Mac can be restarted with the Shift Key held down, so as to get
it to start in SafeBoot, you may have to login to your admin account, then hold Shift key
again until you see a desktop appear. Some users suggest you can let it sit and it may
actually boot into safeboot mode, sometimes this requires you to be there & hold Shift
key down until the actual event occurs. Either way, SafeBoot also tries to repair the
startup volume. Then with the system running (in SafeBoot) you can try & see if the
Disk Utility from Utilities folder (see GO in finder to locate that folder) can repair disk
permissions, and then see if you can get the computer to restart normally.
Be wary of any outside interests that appear in your computer that ask or tell you to
call some phone number, or give up any information, as that may be a wrong turn.
There are several ideas and a wide amount of information to be gained by reading ahead
of issues, some sources are in Apple Support, others in places where users of good
reputation have offered advice online and who also contribute to these ASC discussions.
One of these is TheSafeMac site. Note Tech Guides, there are three. And other stuff, too.
http://www.thesafemac.com/tech-guides/ - adware, malware, & performance guides
A problem may arise by exposure to adware, from visiting web sites and/or clicking on
links that are compromised; some offer 'free download' implying one item, yet another
may be installed in your Mac. These items are sometimes hard to remove. Some basic
identification, ideas & removal processes are covered in Tech Guide for adware/removal.
Apple support offers this information on general to specific adware, etc removal:
•Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac - Apple Support
There are several items out there which may affect a Mac OS X, but most of them are up
to the user to determine a safe course; the system itself tries to avoid trouble, but a user
may still go to places the system would never go, and get a 'free download' or whatever.
Good luck & happy computing!