What to Do When a Scary Pop-Up Says Your Computer Is Infected

If a pop-up suddenly says your computer has a virus and tells you to call a number, stop — it's almost always a scam. Here's what to do instead.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Recognize that this is a scam
2.Close the browser tab
3.Force-close your browser if the pop-up won't go away
4.Run a free security scan to confirm your computer is fine
5.Report the scam to the FTC

Recognize that this is a scam

~33s

Microsoft, Apple, and legitimate antivirus companies will never contact you through a browser pop-up and ask you to call a phone number. These fake alerts are designed to frighten you into calling scammers who will then ask for payment or request remote access to your computer. Do not call the number shown and do not give anyone remote access to your computer.

Warning

If you call the number and someone asks to "remote in" to fix your computer, hang up immediately. This is the scammer's goal — once they have access, they can steal passwords, install malicious software, or charge you hundreds of dollars.

Close the browser tab

~18s

Click the X on the browser tab that's showing the pop-up to close just that tab. On a PC, you can also press Ctrl + W on the keyboard to close the current tab. On a Mac, press Command + W. This usually removes the scary message and is all you need to do.

Force-close your browser if the pop-up won't go away

~30s

Some fake pop-ups try to prevent you from closing them. On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, click "Task Manager," find your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) in the list, click it once, and then click "End Task." On a Mac, press Command + Option + Escape, find your browser in the list, and click "Force Quit."

Quick Tip

After force-closing, when you reopen your browser, it may ask if you want to "restore" the previous tabs. Do not restore them — this would bring back the fake pop-up page.

Run a free security scan to confirm your computer is fine

~21s

Open Windows Security (type "Windows Security" in the Start menu search bar). Click "Virus & threat protection," then click "Quick scan." Windows Defender will scan your computer and report any real threats. In almost every case, the scan will find nothing — because the pop-up was fake and no virus was ever on your computer.

Report the scam to the FTC

~20s

Report fake tech support pop-ups at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you did call the number and gave someone access to your computer, contact your bank immediately to monitor for unusual charges, change your important passwords from a different device, and run a full scan with Windows Security.

Quick Tip

AARP's Tech Support Scam hub at aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tech-support-scams has more information and a helpline.

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A very common scam involves a scary pop-up that suddenly appears while you're browsing the internet. The pop-up may say 'VIRUS DETECTED,' 'Your computer is infected,' or 'Microsoft Security Alert.' It often includes a phone number and tells you to call immediately. This is almost always a fake.

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