SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/tech-support-popup

A pop-up says 'Microsoft Alert: Virus found! Call this number now.' What's true?

Real Microsoft warnings never include a phone number, so any pop-up telling you to call is a scam.

  1. It's fake: real Microsoft warnings never include a phone number ✔
  2. It's real if it shows the Microsoft logo and your computer's details
  3. It's real if it won't close, so call to be safe

Why: Microsoft's real warnings never include phone numbers, and Microsoft won't call you to fix your computer unless you asked. Scammers make scary pop-ups that seem to lock your browser so you'll call them. Then they try to get into your computer and charge you for fake repairs.

Huh, didn't know that: Then they try to get into your computer and charge you for fake repairs.

The dad joke
Why did the computer sneeze? It had a virus.
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Sources

  1. Microsoft Support: Protect yourself from tech support scams https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435
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That's stuff everyone should know.