Fake Tech Support Pop-Ups: What They Are and What To Do
You’re reading the news or checking your email when your screen suddenly fills with a loud warning. “VIRUS DETECTED! Your computer is at risk. Call this number immediately.” There might be an alarm sound or a flashing red screen, and it may not go away when you click it. It’s frightening, but it’s a scam, and a very common one. Here’s how it works and how to get out of it safely.
What’s Actually Happening
That warning is not coming from your computer. It’s a web page designed to look like a system alert. Real security warnings from your computer, or from companies like Microsoft and Apple, don’t tell you to call a phone number. The page exists to scare you into calling.
What Happens If You Call
The person who answers pretends to be “tech support” from Microsoft, Apple or your internet provider. They’ll usually ask you to give them remote access to your computer so they can “fix” the problem. Then they’ll ask for payment for a “protection plan,” often by card, gift cards or a money transfer.
With remote access, a scammer can see your files, look for passwords, or lock you out of your own computer. The virus never existed. The danger starts when you call.
Signs the Pop-Up Is Fake
Loud alarms or a spoken warning
A phone number to call (the biggest giveaway)
Instructions not to shut down or restart your computer
Threats about losing your data, your photos or your bank details
A page that fills the whole screen or won’t let you leave
Claims to be Microsoft, Apple or “Windows Security” while sitting inside a web browser
What To Do Instead
Don’t call the number. Don’t click anything inside the pop-up either, even buttons that say Close, OK or Cancel, since those can be part of the trick.
If the page is full screen on a computer, try pressing the Esc key first.
Close the whole browser:
Windows: press Ctrl, Alt and Delete together, choose Task Manager, click your browser, and choose End task.
Mac: press Command, Option and Esc together, choose your browser, and click Force Quit.
iPhone or iPad: swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause, then swipe the browser app away.
Android: open your recent apps, then swipe the browser away.
If it asks to restore your previous pages when you reopen the browser, choose No, so the same pop-up doesn’t open again.
If it won’t close, hold the power button to restart the device.
After that, you can run your computer’s built-in scan if you’d like peace of mind. On Windows it’s called Windows Security.
If You Already Called or Let Them In
Try not to blame yourself. These scams are designed to fool smart people.
Hang up, and don’t talk to them again.
If they connected to your computer, turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug the internet cable, and shut the computer down. Don’t use it until it has been checked.
Change your passwords from a different device, starting with your email and your bank.
If you paid, call your bank or card company right away. If you paid with gift cards, contact the gift card company too.
Watch your statements for charges you don’t recognize, and consider reporting it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Three Things To Remember
Real companies don’t contact you first. Real warnings don’t include a phone number to call. And you can always close the page and walk away.
If you’d like someone to look at your computer with you, or to help you set it up so these pop-ups are less likely to reach you, a Kendera Global session can go through it step by step, with no judgment.
