You’re working at your computer when suddenly—BAM!—a pop-up appears warning that your PC is infected with a virus. It urges you to “click here” to run a scan or install antivirus software.
It looks urgent. It looks official.
But it’s not.
This is a common scareware tactic used by cybercriminals to trick you into downloading malware. These pop-ups often mimic system alerts or Microsoft notifications, making them appear legitimate. But no matter how real they look, never click anything inside the pop-up or webpage.
Why?
Because clicking ANY button — even “Close,” “Cancel,” or the X — can trigger a virus download.
Here’s what you should do:
- Close your entire browser, not the pop-up window itself.
- If that doesn’t work, open your Task Manager and force-quit the browser:
- PC: Hold Ctrl + Alt + Delete
- Mac: Hold Command + Option + Esc
- After closing the browser, contact your IT provider immediately so they can run a legitimate security scan and confirm whether your device was affected.
These pop-ups are designed to scare you into acting quickly, but the safest response is to pause, close the browser, and notify IT.
🔐 Worried about hidden threats or suspicious alerts? Book a free 10-minute discovery call with Diamond Business Communications, and we’ll help you ensure your devices are protected.
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