A scary popup fills your screen: “Your computer is infected! Call Microsoft support now.” Or the phone rings and someone claims to be from Apple, warning that your account is at risk. Both are tech-support scams, and they rely on panic to do their work. Our GetMyPassword team explains how to recognize fake tech-support scams and what to do if one finds you.
How the scam works
The goal is to scare you into handing over control. A fake virus warning or cold call convinces you something is badly wrong, then urges you to call a number or let a “technician” connect to your computer. Once they have remote access, they can install malware, steal files and passwords, or charge you for a “fix” you never needed.
The red flags
- Unsolicited contact: a popup, call or email you did not ask for, claiming to find a problem.
- Urgency and fear: “act now or lose your data,” designed to stop you thinking.
- A request for remote access to your computer to “fix” it.
- Payment in gift cards, wire transfers or crypto — never how a real company charges.
What to do instead
Remember the simple truth: Microsoft, Apple and Google do not cold-call you about viruses, and a real virus cannot show its phone number in a popup. So hang up or close the tab — do not call the number. If a popup will not close, restart your device. Never grant remote access or pay someone who contacted you first. When in doubt, reach the company yourself through its official website.
No real tech company will call to say your computer has a virus, and no genuine alert asks you to phone a number. The popup is the scam — closing it is the fix.
If you already let them in
Act quickly. Disconnect from the internet, uninstall any remote-access tool they had you install, and run a full security scan. Then change the passwords of your important accounts — starting with email and banking — from a different, trusted device, using our password generator, and turn on two-factor authentication. If you paid or shared card details, contact your bank right away.
Frequently asked questions
Does Microsoft or Apple call about viruses?
No. Microsoft, Apple and Google do not make unsolicited calls about viruses or account problems, and real virus alerts never ask you to phone a number. Any such call or popup is a scam.
What should I do about a “your computer is infected” popup?
Do not call the number shown. Close the tab or browser, and if it will not close, restart your device. Never grant remote access. The popup itself is the scam, not a real infection.
What if I gave a tech-support scammer access to my computer?
Disconnect from the internet, uninstall any remote-access tool, run a security scan, and change your important passwords from a different trusted device with 2FA enabled. If you paid or shared card details, contact your bank immediately.