What that pop-up actually is
A real security warning from Windows or Mac never fills your entire screen, never plays a siren, and never tells you to call a phone number. Those are all signs of a fake page built to scare you into calling, and the "number for Microsoft support" on the screen connects to a scammer, not to Microsoft.
These pages usually show up after clicking a link in an email, a bad search result, or an ad on a website. The good news is that most of the time, the pop-up itself has not actually installed anything yet. It is a scary page in your browser, not proof your computer is broken.
How to close it safely, without calling
Do not call the number on the screen, and do not click anything inside the pop-up, including a button that says "close" or "cancel." Those buttons can sometimes trigger a download. Instead, close the whole browser window using the task manager or by turning the computer off and back on if the browser will not respond.
- Never call the phone number shown on the warning
- Do not click any button inside the pop-up window itself
- On Windows, press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete and end the browser task
- On a Mac, use Force Quit from the Apple menu to close the browser
- If nothing responds, it is fine to hold the power button and restart
If you already called or let someone remote in
If you dialed the number, gave someone remote access to your computer, or paid for anything, do not be embarrassed. This scam is built to fool careful people, and we see it often. What matters now is checking the computer for anything that got installed and locking down any accounts that may have been exposed.
- A technician checks for any software the caller may have installed
- We look for remote access tools left behind and remove them
- We help you change passwords for accounts that may be at risk
- We explain what happened in plain terms, no scolding, ever
A calm, in-home cleanup
Call (615) 852-5565 Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. A technician can talk you through closing the pop-up over the phone, or come to your home to check the computer in person and make sure everything is clean. We come with our promise: fixed, or your money back.
Need patient, local help?
These Deskside services are the closest match for this guide.