You are browsing the internet when suddenly your entire screen is taken over by a terrifying message. It says your computer is infected with a virus. There may be loud alarm sounds or a robotic voice reading the warning. A phone number is displayed prominently, urging you to call immediately before your files are destroyed or your personal information is stolen.

Take a breath. Your computer is fine. That popup is fake, and it is designed to scare you into calling a phone number where a scammer is waiting to steal your money and your personal information.

How the Tech Support Scam Works

Here is the typical sequence of events:

  1. The fake alert appears. You visit a website, click an ad, or follow a link, and a full-screen warning takes over your browser. It may look like it comes from Microsoft, Apple, Norton, or McAfee. It displays a phone number to call for "immediate assistance."
  2. You call the number. A person answers and sounds professional and concerned. They claim to be from Microsoft, Apple, or another tech company.
  3. They request remote access. The "technician" asks you to download software that lets them control your computer remotely. They may ask you to go to a specific website and enter a code.
  4. They "find" problems. With remote access, they open technical-looking screens and point to normal system files, claiming they are viruses or signs of hacking. Everything they show you is fake or misleading.
  5. They charge you money. They demand payment for "repairs" that can range from $200 to $1,000 or more. They accept gift cards, wire transfers, or direct access to your bank account.
  6. They may steal your data. While they have remote access, they can install actual malware, steal saved passwords, access your bank accounts, or copy personal files.
Warning Microsoft, Apple, Norton, McAfee, and every other legitimate tech company will never display a phone number in a popup warning on your computer. They will never call you to tell you your computer is infected. They will never ask for remote access to your computer through an unsolicited contact. Any popup that displays a phone number and tells you to call immediately is a scam.

How to Close the Fake Popup

These popups are designed to be difficult to close. They often go full-screen and prevent you from clicking the normal close button. Here is how to get rid of them:

On a Mac

  • Press Command + Q to force-quit your web browser (Safari, Chrome, or Firefox).
  • If that does not work, press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit window. Select your browser and click "Force Quit."
  • When you reopen your browser, do not restore the previous session. Start fresh.

On a Windows PC

  • Press Alt + F4 to close the current window.
  • If that does not work, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select "Task Manager." Find your browser in the list of running applications, select it, and click "End Task."
  • When you reopen your browser, do not restore the previous session.

On a Phone or Tablet

  • Close the browser tab immediately.
  • If you cannot close the tab, force-close the browser app entirely by swiping it away from your recent apps screen.
  • Clear your browser history and cache in your settings.
Tip After closing a scam popup, clear your browser's cache and cookies. In Chrome, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear Browsing Data. In Safari, go to Preferences, then Privacy, then Manage Website Data and Remove All. This prevents the popup from reappearing when you reopen your browser.

What Never to Do

  • Never call the phone number displayed in the popup. It connects to a scammer, not a real tech company.
  • Never give anyone remote access to your computer unless you initiated the contact with a trusted, verified tech support service.
  • Never provide credit card or bank information to someone who contacted you about a computer problem.
  • Never buy gift cards to pay for computer repairs. No legitimate tech company accepts gift cards.
  • Never download software that someone on the phone tells you to install, especially if they ask you to visit a website and enter a code.

What If You Already Called and Gave Remote Access?

If you have already called the number, given remote access, or paid money, take these steps immediately:

  1. Disconnect from the internet by unplugging your ethernet cable or turning off WiFi. This cuts off the scammer's remote access immediately.
  2. Uninstall any software they told you to install. Look for programs like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, or LogMeIn that you installed during the call.
  3. Run a real antivirus scan. Use your computer's built-in security (Windows Defender on PCs, or XProtect on Macs) to scan for any malware they may have installed.
  4. Change your passwords. Change the passwords for your email, bank accounts, and any other accounts you accessed on that computer. Do this from a different device if possible.
  5. Contact your bank if you gave them any financial information. Alert them to potential fraud and ask them to monitor your accounts.
  6. Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

How to Prevent Future Tech Support Scam Popups

  • Keep your browser updated. Modern browsers block many malicious websites automatically.
  • Use an ad blocker. Many scam popups are delivered through malicious advertisements. A reputable ad blocker can prevent them.
  • Do not click on suspicious ads or links, especially those promising free downloads, prizes, or "urgent" system alerts.
  • Bookmark the websites you use regularly and access them through your bookmarks rather than through search results or links in emails.

Remember: real virus warnings come from antivirus software that is already installed on your computer, not from websites. If a warning appears in your web browser, it is not real.

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