Have you ever seen a pop-up like this?
⚠️ “Your computer is infected! Call Microsoft Support immediately.”
💀 “Mac OS X has detected spyware. Click here to fix now!”
These scary alerts look like they’re from your system… but they’re not.
They’re fake warnings triggered by your browser — and they’re designed to trick you into calling a fake support number or downloading malware.
How It Starts:
It usually begins when you:
- Visit a sketchy website (sometimes even by accident)
- Click a misleading ad or download
- Allow “notifications” from a website you shouldn’t trust
Once allowed, that site can bombard you with urgent, scary messages — even when your browser is closed.
What These Scams Try to Do:
Scammers want you to:
📞 Call a fake support line
🧑💻 Let them remote into your computer
💳 Pay for fake “virus removal” or bogus security software
🔐 Give them access to sensitive data or accounts
They rely on panic. And their goal is profit — not protection.
Real vs Fake: How to Tell the Difference
Real System Alert | Fake Browser Scam |
|---|---|
Comes from your antivirus or system settings | Comes from your browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, etc.) |
No phone numbers shown | Tells you to “Call Microsoft” or “Call Apple” |
Can be verified in your security settings | Disappears when you close the browser tab or block notifications |
How To Stop It:
✅ On Windows (Chrome/Edge):
- Open Chrome or Edge
- Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Site Settings → Notifications
- Remove or block suspicious websites
✅ On Mac (Safari):
- Open Safari
- Go to Safari → Settings → Websites → Notifications
- Deny access to unfamiliar sites
🛑 Don’t download anything from a pop-up.
🛑 Don’t call the number.
🛑 Don’t let strangers into your computer.
PCRescue Subscribers: You’re Already Protected
We actively block known scam sites, flag dangerous software, and help clean up pop-up alerts before they cause damage.
Need help cleaning up an infected browser or disabling scam notifications?
We’ve got you covered.