How-to guide
Tech support scams: that "virus" warning is the scam
Tech support scams flip your instinct to fix a problem against you. A scary pop-up or cold call claims your device is infected, then walks you into handing over remote access and payment to "fix" a problem that never existed.
How it works
- A full-screen pop-up (often with alarm sounds) says you're infected and to call a number — never close-able by design.
- Or someone calls claiming to be Microsoft, Apple, or your ISP about "suspicious activity".
- They ask to install remote-access software, then "find" fake problems and charge you to fix them — or steal your files and banking logins.
The truth
Microsoft, Apple, and your ISP do not put their phone number in a pop-up and do not cold-call you about viruses. A web page cannot scan your computer. Close the tab (or force-quit the browser) and you're fine.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Microsoft virus pop-up real?
No. Microsoft never displays a support phone number in a browser pop-up. It's a scare tactic — close the browser tab and run your real antivirus if you're worried.
I gave a scammer remote access — what now?
Disconnect from the internet, run a trusted antivirus scan, change passwords from a different device, and contact your bank if you shared payment or banking details.