What a fake support pop-up looks like
These scams are designed to panic you. Common signs:
- A full-screen browser window you cannot easily close, often with a loud beeping or a recorded 'voice from your computer'.
- A toll-free phone number prominently displayed, with text like 'Call Microsoft Support immediately' or 'Your Windows licence has expired'.
- Threats: 'Your bank details have been stolen', 'Pornography detected', 'Do not turn off your computer'.
- Fake Windows logos, padlock icons, or BSOD-style graphics inside a browser window rather than a real Windows dialog.
Step 1: Confirm it is in your browser, not Windows
Press Alt + Tab. If the warning is one of several windows, it is a browser pop-up — not a real Windows alert. Real Windows alerts cannot be tabbed away from in this manner.
If you can see a URL bar at the top of the warning, it is 100% a website, not Microsoft.
Important
Microsoft never displays warnings inside a web page. Anything in a browser asking you to call a number is a scam, full stop.
Step 2: Close it safely
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find your browser in the list, click End task.
When you reopen the browser, do not let it 'Restore' the previous tabs — that just reopens the scam page. Decline restore, then go to Settings → On startup and set it to 'Open the new tab page'.
Step 3: If you already called the number or installed software
If you let them install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Assist, UltraViewer or Splashtop, treat your PC as compromised. Disconnect from the internet immediately.
Uninstall the remote-access tool from Settings → Apps, then change every password from a different device.
Important
If you gave them card or banking details, call your bank's fraud line right now — even before finishing this guide.
Tags:
Phishing & Scams
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JD
Written by
Jordan DicksonFounder, CyberSecurityGuides
Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.
Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers