ChromeOS · Recovery Guide

How to Spot a Fake Google or Tech Support Pop-Up on Chromebook

Learn to recognise the tell-tale signs of a malicious pop-up pretending to be from Google or tech support on your Chromebook.

Recognising Urgent and Threatening Pop-Ups

Criminals often use scare tactics to make you act without thinking. Be wary of any message that demands immediate action.

• Pop-ups that use alarming language like "Your system is severely damaged!" or "Immediate action required!"
• Messages that claim your personal information has been stolen or your device is infected with a dangerous virus.
• Pop-ups that feature countdown timers, pressuring you to respond quickly before a perceived deadline.
• Any message that states you must call a specific phone number or download a particular piece of software right away.

Examining Suspicious URLs and Website Behaviour

A fake pop-up often originates from a suspicious website or tries to mimic a legitimate one, but with subtle differences.

• Check the address bar for the website's URL. If it doesn't look like an official Google address (e.g., accounts.google.com) or a site you recognise, it's likely fake.
• Look for unusual characters or misspellings in the URL, such as goog1e.com instead of google.com.
• Observe if the pop-up seems to "take over" your browser, preventing you from closing it normally or navigating away.
• Note if the pop-up appears on multiple websites you visit, rather than just one specific site.

Identifying Unprofessional Design and Grammatical Errors

Fake pop-ups are often created quickly and carelessly, leading to noticeable inconsistencies and mistakes.

• Look for poor-quality graphics, blurry images, or outdated logos that don't match official Google branding.
• Read the text carefully for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or awkward phrasing.
• Check if the fonts and colour schemes used in the pop-up are inconsistent with Google's usual design.
• Be wary if the pop-up asks for unusual personal information directly within the pop-up window.

Verifying Without Interaction: Your Chromebook's Built-in Tools

You can check the legitimacy of a pop-up without clicking on anything suspect by using your Chromebook's features.

1. Do not click on any buttons or links within the suspicious pop-up.
2. Try to close the browser tab or window showing the pop-up. If it persists or prevents closing, it's a huge red flag.
3. Press the Esc key repeatedly; sometimes this can help to close unwanted pop-ups or full-screen modes.
4. Open a new tab and search for information about the pop-up's message using keywords from the warning message itself. Check reputable security websites.
5. If you suspect a wider issue, check your Chromebook's notification area (bottom-right corner) for any legitimate system alerts, which will appear there and not as giant pop-ups.