Fake virus pop-ups and tech support scams

By OneTechPro · Updated November 4, 2026 · General guidance, not a diagnosis

What to do

• Don’t call the number and don’t click anything in the pop-up.
• Close the browser. If it won’t close, restart the computer.
• Don’t let anyone connect to your computer remotely.
• Don’t pay anyone who called you out of the blue about your computer.

If you already called or gave access

• Disconnect the computer from the internet.
• From a different, clean device, change your email and banking passwords.
• If you paid, call your bank or card company straight away.
• Bring the computer in so it can be checked.

Check the computer itself

After closing the pop-up, run a full scan with your computer’s own security software. Look at your browser’s extensions and remove any you don’t recognise. If it’s still slow, still shows ads or has a changed home page, bring it in.

How we help

We scan for malware, clean it up, check the browser and start-up programs, and tell you what to change next. Back up your files first if you can.