Don’t Fall for the Fake Virus Pop-Up: A Guide to Staying Safe

That alarming, screen-hijacking pop-up screaming that your computer is infected with a virus is a classic tech support scam. It’s designed to create panic and trick you into calling a fraudulent number, where scammers will try to extract money from you for “fixing” a non-existent problem. Here’s what you need to know to prevent these scams, get out of them, and protect yourself.

How to Prevent Pop-Up Scams

The best defense is a good offense. Here’s how to minimize your chances of ever seeing one of these fake virus alerts:

• Use a Pop-Up Blocker: Most modern web browsers have built-in pop-up blockers. Make sure yours is enabled. You can usually find this setting in your browser’s privacy and security settings.
• Implement Network-Level Blocking: For a more robust solution, you can block malicious content at the network level. For example, UniFi cloud gateways can protect your entire network from this sort of scam by using the ad blocker feature built right into the UniFi Network OS. This feature can prevent ads and known malicious domains from ever loading on any device connected to your network, stopping the pop-up before it even reaches your browser.
• Be Careful Where You Click: These pop-ups often appear on less reputable websites. Be cautious about the sites you visit and the links you click on, especially from emails or social media. Avoid clicking on ads that seem too good to be true.
• Keep Your Browser and Operating System Updated: Software updates often include security patches that can help protect you from the latest threats. Enable automatic updates to ensure you’re always running the latest versions.
• Install a Reputable Antivirus/Anti-Malware Program: A good security suite can help detect and block malicious websites and software that might try to serve you these fake pop-ups.

What to Do When the Pop-Up Appears

If you do encounter one of these pop-ups, the most important thing to remember is: DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER ON THE SCREEN. It is a scam, and calling it will only lead to more problems. Here’s how to safely get rid of the pop-up:

• Try to Close the Browser Tab: Sometimes, you can simply close the tab that the pop-up is in. If there’s no obvious “X” to click, try using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + W (or Cmd + W on a Mac) to close the active tab.
• Force Quit the Browser: If you can’t close the tab, you’ll need to force quit your web browser. You can do this using the Task Manager on Windows or the Force Quit Applications window on a Mac.
  • On Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select “Task Manager.” Find your web browser in the list of applications, select it, and click “End Task.”
  • On a Mac: Press Command + Option + Esc. Select your web browser from the list and click “Force Quit.”
• Restart Your Computer: As a last resort, you can always restart your computer. This will close all open applications, including the browser with the malicious pop-up.

After the Pop-Up is Gone: Next Steps

Once you’ve successfully closed the pop-up, there are a few more things you should do to ensure your computer is safe:

• Clear Your Browser’s Cache and Cookies: This will remove any lingering data from the malicious website. You can find this option in your browser’s settings, usually under “Privacy and Security” or “History.”
• Run a Full Virus Scan: Use your antivirus/anti-malware software to run a full scan of your computer. This will help you find and remove any malicious files that may have been downloaded without your knowledge.
• Change Your Passwords: If you’re concerned that your personal information may have been compromised, it’s a good idea to change the passwords for your important accounts, such as your email, online banking, and social media.