Don’t Click That Pop-Up: How to Spot and Stop PC Scams
You’re browsing the internet when suddenly your PC screen freezes. A loud alert sounds, and a message appears warning that your computer is infected or locked. It may even urge you to call a support number immediately. These situations can feel urgent and alarming but more often than not, they’re scams designed to catch you off guard.
What Are PC Pop-Up Scams?
“Pop-up scams involve fraudulent messages that “pop up” for users when they are surfing the web. In many cases, cybercriminals infect otherwise legitimate websites with malicious code that causes these pop-up messages to appear when people visit them.”1 They are designed to convince you that something is seriously wrong with your device, such as a virus. These pop-ups often imitate trusted brands and use aggressive language to pressure you into acting quickly. The ultimate goal is to get you to call a fake support line, download harmful software, or give someone remote access to your computer.
What To Do If You See One
If you encounter a suspicious pop-up, the most important thing is to avoid interacting with it. Do not click any buttons or links within the message, even if it appears to offer a way to close the window. Instead, close your browser entirely. Restarting your device afterward can help ensure the issue is cleared. Zach Dennis, AVP Security & Fraud Officer, Citizens National Bank, says, “We recently had a situation like this where a customer received a pop-up on their home computer claiming to be from Apple. The pop-up prompted him to call a support number. He then called the number where scammers directed him to click a link, giving them remote access to his computer. Scammers then transferred him to someone claiming to be from CNB, who then told him to wire them money to fix his computer. Luckily, we were able to get ahead of the situation and stop fraud before it happened.”
“If you’ve already interacted with a scam pop-up, there are crucial steps you need to take to mitigate any potential damage. Here’s what you should do:
- Disconnect Your Device: If you’ve given remote access, immediately disconnect your device from the internet to prevent further interference
- End Remote Access (If Granted)
- Contact Your Bank: If you’ve provided payment information, notify your bank or credit card company right away to block unauthorized transactions.
- Change Your Passwords: If you’ve shared any passwords, change them immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts.
- Report the Scam: you can report these scams online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/”2
Staying One Step Ahead
The best defense against pop-up scams is awareness. Keeping your software up to date, verifying alerts manually, and not clicking anything suspicious are just some of the proactive steps you can take.3 Taking a moment to pause and think can be the difference between staying secure and becoming a victim. When something feels off, trust your instincts and stay in control.
1https://www.itsolutions-inc.com/guides/recognizing-and-preventing-pop-up-phishing-alerts/
2https://helpcenter.trendmicro.com/en-us/article/tmka-05037
3https://www.mcafee.com/learn/how-to-stop-the-popups/
View more Articles