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How to Recognize and Close a Fake Pop-Up or Scam Window
If you’ve ever been happily browsing the internet and suddenly a big red warning pops up saying:
“Your computer is infected! Call this number immediately!”
—don’t panic.
These are fake pop-ups designed to scare you into clicking something or calling a scammer. Seniors in particular are often targeted because scammers hope they’ll react quickly out of fear.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to tell the difference between a real Windows alert and a scam pop-up, and walk you through how to safely close them.
What a Real Windows Alert Looks Like
A real alert from Microsoft Windows:
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Comes from the bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock.
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Is usually small and rectangular.
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Won’t have a phone number to call.
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Might say things like “Windows Update is available” or “Virus protection is turned off.”
What a Scam Pop-Up Looks Like
A scam pop-up or fake alert:
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Pops up in the middle of your browser window (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox).
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Is often very loud with flashing colors or even fake alarm sounds.
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Uses scary wording like “Your computer is infected!” or “Do not turn off your PC!”
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Almost always gives you a phone number to call. (Microsoft, Apple, or Google will NEVER display a phone number in a pop-up.)
What To Do If You See a Fake Pop-Up
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Don’t click on anything inside the pop-up.
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Don’t press “OK,” “Cancel,” or “Scan Now.”
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These buttons are often tricks to install malware.
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Close the browser completely.
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On Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find your browser (Chrome, Edge, or Firefox), and click End Task.
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On Mac: Press Command + Option + Esc, select the browser, and click Force Quit.
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Reopen your browser, but don’t restore previous tabs.
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If asked “Do you want to restore pages?” click No.
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This prevents the scam site from opening again.
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Clear your browser history.
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In Chrome or Edge: Go to the three-dot menu → Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Browsing Data.
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Select Browsing History and Cached Images.
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When to Call for Help
It’s smart to call for professional help if:
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You accidentally clicked inside the pop-up.
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You called the number and gave the scammer access to your computer.
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The same pop-up keeps reappearing even after you clear your browser.
At That Tech Jeff, I can safely check your computer, remove any hidden issues, and give you peace of mind. Best of all, I keep things simple, affordable, and honest.
✅ Remember this golden rule:
If a pop-up tells you to call a number, it’s a scam.
