Pop-Up Says Your Computer Is Infected? What to Do

A pop-up says your computer is infected and tells you to call a number? It’s a scam, known as a tech support scam or scareware. It’s just a web page: it can’t hurt your computer unless you call, click, pay, or let someone in. This guide shows the warning signs, how to close it on Windows 11 and a Mac, and what to do if you already called. (The pop-up shown here is a fake we made for training; the phone number and web address are made up.)

Pop-up says your computer is infected? Spot it, then close it safely

Example

!What a fake pop-up looks like

You’re browsing a normal website when a scary warning suddenly fills the screen: your PC is “infected” and “blocked”, and you must call a support number right now. It may beep, flash, or talk to you.

WHAT TO DOStay calm. It’s a web page, not a real virus warning, and it can’t hurt you if you don’t call or click.

Pop-up says your computer is infected: What a fake pop-up looks like

Signs it’s fake

44 signs it’s fake

1. A phone number to call. 2. It’s inside your web browser, with a strange web address. 3. Countdowns, alarms and threats. 4. It wants you to pay, or to download a “support tool”.

WHAT TO DOReal Windows Security warnings never show a phone number or ask you to call anyone.

4 signs it's fake

1Don’t call, don’t click. Close the browser.

Don’t call the number, and don’t click anything on the page, not even “Cancel” or the X.

WHAT TO DOPress Ctrl+W to close the tab. Still there? Press Alt+F4 to close the whole browser window.

2Won’t close? End it in Task Manager

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager. Under Apps, click your web browser.

WHAT TO DOClick End task. The browser closes, and the pop-up goes with it.

Won't close? End it in Task Manager

3Reopen the browser, but don’t restore pages

When you open the browser again, it may offer to restore the pages you had open.

WHAT TO DODon’t click Restore. Close that message, so the pop-up doesn’t come back.

Reopen the browser, but don't restore pages

4Run a scan with Windows Security

Click Start, type Windows Security and open it. Choose Virus & threat protection, then Scan options.

WHAT TO DOSelect Full scan and click Scan now. It can take an hour or more, so let it finish.

Run a scan with Windows Security

On a Mac? Same idea.

Quit the browser: press Command-Q — Safari, Chrome or Edge. The fake warning closes with it.
Frozen? Press Option-Command-Esc — Choose the browser, then click Force Quit
Reopening Safari? Hold down Shift — So it doesn’t reopen the old windows

Already called, or let them in? Act fast.

Disconnect from the internet — Turn off Wi-Fi or unplug the network cable, so they can’t stay connected
Don’t pay. Already paid? Call your bank. — Ask your bank or card company to stop the charge. Paid with gift cards? Call the card company.
Change your passwords on another device — Start with email and banking, using a phone or computer they never touched
Call Naples Computers: 239-513-1960 — We’ll remove any remote access tools and malware, and check your accounts

At the office? Tell I.T. right away.

Report it immediately — Even if you already closed it. A quick heads-up protects the whole office.
Never call the number or let anyone in — Your I.T. team already has its own safe ways to help you
We’ll never call you out of the blue — Naples Computers remote sessions are always scheduled, or started by you

Recap: when a pop-up says your computer is infected

Don’t call, don’t click
Close it: Ctrl+W, Alt+F4, or Task Manager
Reopen the browser without restoring pages
Run a full scan with Windows Security

Printable quick guide

Scary Pop-Up? Don't Call! Close It Safely (1-page quick guide PDF)

Frequently asked questions

A pop-up says your computer is infected. Is it real?

If it shows a phone number or tells you to call, it’s a scam. Real Windows Security warnings never show a phone number or ask you to call anyone, and Microsoft and Apple never ask you to pay for a fix with gift cards.

Can a fake virus pop-up harm my computer?

On its own, no: it’s just a web page designed to scare you. The danger starts if you call the number, click a download, pay, or let a stranger connect to your computer.

What should I do if I already called the number?

Disconnect from the internet, and don’t pay. If you already paid, call your bank or card company (or the gift card company) right away. Change your email and banking passwords from another device, then call Naples Computers at 239-513-1960 so we can remove any remote access tools and malware.

Why does the pop-up come back when I open my browser?

Your browser may be restoring the page you had open, so close the restore message instead of clicking Restore. If pop-ups keep appearing in the corner of the screen, a site may be allowed to send notifications or an unwanted extension may be installed; our hijacked browser guide shows how to clean that up.

Real virus warnings never ask you to call a number, and Microsoft and Apple never ask you to pay for a fix with gift cards. Naples Computers will never call you out of the blue asking to get on your computer. If you think you’ve been scammed, call us right away.

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