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    4 min read 5 stepsMay 5, 2026Verified May 2026

    How to Spot a Fake Tech Support Pop-Up (and What to Do)

    Pop-ups claiming your computer is infected and asking you to call a phone number are almost always scams. Here is how to recognize and dismiss them safely.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    scam
    tech-support-scam
    pop-up
    safety
    seniors
    browser
    malware

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Recognize the warning signs
    2. 2.Close the browser without clicking anything in the pop-up
    3. 3.Clear your browser cache after the pop-up is gone
    4. 4.Run a free malware scan
    5. 5.Report the scam to the FTC
    1

    Recognize the warning signs

    ~25s
    Real warnings from your computer never include a phone number to call. They never make alarm sounds or block your entire screen. They never claim law enforcement is involved. If a pop-up has any of these features — phone number, urgent countdown, alarm sound, claim of being from the FBI or Microsoft — it is a scam.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Microsoft Defender warnings appear in the small Windows Security app, not as full-screen browser pop-ups with phone numbers.

    2

    Close the browser without clicking anything in the pop-up

    ~36s
    Do not click any button inside the pop-up — not "Close," not "OK," not "X." Some scam pop-ups have buttons that trigger more pop-ups when clicked. Instead, close the entire browser window. On Windows, press Alt + F4. On Mac, press Cmd + Q. On a phone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and swipe the browser app away.

    Warning

    If the browser will not close normally, force-quit it. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find your browser in the list, and click End Task. On Mac, press Cmd + Option + Esc to open Force Quit, select the browser, and click Force Quit.

    3

    Clear your browser cache after the pop-up is gone

    ~19s
    Reopen your browser and clear the cache to remove any stored copies of the scam page. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu, then Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Clear browsing data. In Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, then Clear History. In Edge, click the three-dot menu, then Settings, then Privacy.
    4

    Run a free malware scan

    ~24s
    On Windows, open Windows Security (search for it from the Start menu), click Virus and threat protection, then Quick Scan. On Mac, malware is rare but you can use the free version of Malwarebytes from malwarebytes.com if you are concerned. Both scanners are free and trusted.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Avoid downloading unknown "antivirus" tools from search results — many are themselves malware. Stick to Windows Security on Windows, and the official Malwarebytes site on Mac.

    5

    Report the scam to the FTC

    ~17s
    Reporting helps the Federal Trade Commission build cases against the criminals running these scams. Go to reportfraud.ftc.gov and fill out the short form. You do not need any personal information about the scammer — only a brief description of what happened. This is free and takes about 5 minutes.

    You Did It!

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    If a pop-up appears on your computer claiming your device is infected with a virus, displaying a Microsoft or Apple logo, and asking you to call a phone number — close it right away. Real Microsoft, Apple, and Google support never display pop-ups with phone numbers. These are scams designed to convince you to call a fake "support" line where someone will ask for remote access to your computer or payment for fake services.

    The pop-ups can look very convincing. Some make alarm sounds. Some say "Your computer has been locked." Some claim the FBI is involved. None of these are real. Closing the browser tab or window is the correct response in every case.

    If you have already called a number from one of these pop-ups, do not panic. The next steps depend on what you shared. If you only spoke briefly and shared no information or payment, you are likely safe. If you allowed remote access to your computer, you should disconnect the internet, run a malware scan, and change your important passwords from a different device.

    (Sources: FTC Consumer Information, consumer.ftc.gov; Microsoft Support, support.microsoft.com; AARP Fraud Watch Network, aarp.org/money/scams-fraud)

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    scam
    tech-support-scam
    pop-up
    safety
    seniors
    browser
    malware

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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