You’re in the middle of your workday when a warning suddenly fills your screen:
🚨 Your computer is infected!
🚨 Microsoft has detected suspicious activity!
🚨 Call this number immediately to avoid data loss!
Your heart skips a beat.
That’s exactly what the criminals behind these scams are counting on.
This Week’s Tech Tip
If a pop-up suddenly appears claiming your computer is infected, stop and think before you click anything.
Many of these alerts are actually designed to trick you into:
- Downloading malware
- Calling a fake support number
- Paying for unnecessary services
- Giving attackers remote access to your computer
The message may look like it came from Microsoft, your antivirus software, or even your bank. In reality, it’s often just a malicious website trying to scare you into taking action.
What To Do Instead
✅ Close the browser tab or window.
✅ If the browser won’t close, use Task Manager (Windows) or Force Quit (Mac) to end the application.
✅ Do not call any phone number displayed in the pop-up.
✅ Do not download any software the alert recommends.
✅ Contact your IT provider if you’re unsure whether the alert was legitimate.
One of the most common things we hear is:
“It looked so real.”
That’s because attackers have become very good at making fake warnings appear legitimate. When in doubt, don’t trust the alert on the screen. Contact someone you trust to verify it first.
At Hammett Technologies, LLC, we regularly help businesses identify fake security alerts, malware infections, and other cybersecurity threats before they turn into costly problems.
If you’ve recently seen suspicious pop-ups, unusual browser behavior, or security warnings that don’t seem right, give us a call at 443-216-9999 or visit www.hammett-tech.com.
Best,
Charles Hammett
Hammett Technologies, LLC
📞 443-216-9999
🌐 www.hammett-tech.com
P.S. A quick call to your IT provider can prevent hours of downtime and potentially thousands of dollars in damage. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and ask before you click.