Alert Pop Up: Virus

“Virus Alert!” Pop-Up Scam: Don’t Tap That Fake Warning

You’re browsing a website, looking for a recipe or checking sports scores. Suddenly, your phone or computer vibrates. A flashing red box appears: or “WINDOWS DETECTED MALWARE – CALL SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY.” virus alert pop up

That alarming pop-up is almost certainly a scam. Here’s how to recognize it, why it’s dangerous, and exactly what to do if you see one. They are scareware — fake security alerts designed to trick you into taking action. Scammers use fear and urgency to bypass your logical thinking. “Virus Alert

Your heart races. Do you click “OK”? Do you call the number? Here’s how to recognize it, why it’s dangerous,

When in doubt, close the browser, run your real antivirus, and go on with your day. You didn’t get a virus. You almost got scammed. Have you seen a fake virus alert pop-up recently? Share your experience in the comments to help others recognize the red flags.

The pop-up claims a real antivirus scan found threats. But legitimate antivirus software cannot scan another website’s content or your device’s file system from inside a browser window.

[Date] Reading time: 4 minutes