Many computer users encounter alarming pop-up messages that warn of virus infections. These alerts are frequently part of a scam designed to frighten users into paying for unnecessary technical support. Understanding the difference between a fraudulent browser alert and a legitimate notification from your security software is essential.

Characteristics of Fake Virus Alerts

Fraudulent virus warnings most often appear within a web browser. They are designed to look like official alerts from an operating system but are actually just web pages. These fake pop-ups use urgent language, such as “Your computer is infected!” or “Malicious software detected,” to create panic. A primary indicator of a scam is the inclusion of a toll-free phone number, urging the user to call for immediate technical support. Legitimate security companies, including McAfee, Symantec, and Trend Micro, have confirmed they do not place phone numbers in their alert messages. The objective of these scams is to connect you with a fake technician who will then request remote access to your computer and charge a fee to fix a non-existent problem. These browser-based alerts are often just JavaScript pop-ups that can be difficult to close and may even play an audio warning.

How to Identify Legitimate Antivirus Warnings

Genuine security alerts originate from the antivirus software you have installed on your computer, not from a webpage. These notifications typically appear in a corner of the screen, often the lower-right, and are generated by the program itself. The language used is professional and informative, usually specifying the name of the detected threat and the action that was taken, such as a threat being quarantined. Real antivirus alerts will not ask you to call a phone number. Instead, they will prompt you to take action within the security software’s interface. To verify a real warning, you can open your antivirus application directly and check its notification logs or quarantine area for details about the detected threat.

If you encounter a pop-up you suspect is fake, do not click on it and do not call the number provided. To close the alert, use your computer’s Task Manager (Ctrl-Alt-Delete on Windows) or Force Quit (Command-Option-Escape on Mac) to shut down the browser application. If this fails, rebooting the computer is an effective step. After restarting, do not restore the previous browser session. It is also a good practice to run a full scan with your trusted security software to ensure your system is clean.

Source: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2930909/is-that-virus-warning-real-how-to-spot-false-alarms.html