Tech-support pop-ups and fake virus warnings

What it can look like

Red flags

• A warning with a phone number. Real security warnings don’t have one.
• Loud sounds, a talking voice, or a full screen you can’t seem to close.
• “Do not restart your computer” or “do not close this window”.
• Anyone asking to connect to your computer, or to be paid with gift cards or crypto.

What to do

1. Don’t call the number. Don’t click anything in the warning.
2. Close the browser. On Windows, press Ctrl, Alt and Delete together, choose Task Manager, and end the browser. On a Mac, press Command, Option and Escape and force quit it.
3. If that doesn’t work, turn the computer off with the power button, then back on.
4. When the browser asks to restore pages, say no.

If you already paid, clicked or shared a code

Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. Act quickly, one step at a time.

• Called and gave payment? Call your bank or card company on the number on your card and dispute the charge.
• Let them connect to your computer? Unplug the internet or turn off Wi-Fi. Then have someone you trust, or a local repair shop, check it and remove any remote-access program.
• Change your important passwords, starting with email and bank, from a different device if you can.
• Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If they call back offering a refund, hang up: “refund” calls are part of the scam.

How Gmork Scam Guard helps

Gmork Scam Guard recognises many fake support pages and virus warnings on your computer, and tells you plainly that it’s a web page, not a real warning, with the steps to close it. It can miss new ones, so remember: real warnings never show a phone number.

See what Gmork Scam Guard warns about and what it keeps private.

Questions people ask

Is my computer really infected?

Usually not. These warnings are just web pages. Closing the browser makes them go away.

Will Microsoft or Apple ever call me about a virus?

No. They don’t call people out of the blue about viruses, and their warnings don’t ask you to call them.