The four rules
Internalise these and you are most of the way there:
- Microsoft, Apple, your bank and the ATO will never call you about your computer.
- Real virus warnings only ever come from your installed antivirus, never from a website.
- No legitimate company asks you to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer or Quick Assist to 'verify' anything.
- If a pop-up has a phone number, it is a scam — every single time.
Step 1: Install uBlock Origin
Most tech-support scam pages reach you through malicious ads. uBlock Origin is a free, open-source ad blocker available for Chrome, Edge and Firefox. It blocks the ad networks scammers buy traffic from.
Install it from your browser's official extension store (verify the developer is 'Raymond Hill / gorhill').
Step 2: Turn on SmartScreen and PUA blocking
Follow our Lock Down Windows guide and make sure SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge, Phishing protection and Potentially unwanted app blocking are all enabled.
These work even if you primarily use Chrome or Firefox, because they also catch the downloaded installers.
Step 3: Register on the Do Not Call list
Australians can add their number to the Do Not Call Register (donotcall.gov.au). It will not stop overseas scam calls but it will silence most legitimate telemarketers, making real scam calls easier to spot.
Set your phone to silence unknown callers (iPhone: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers; Android: Phone app → Settings → Caller ID & spam).
Step 4: Have a 'I will call you back' rule
If anyone — bank, Microsoft, Telstra, the ATO — calls about your computer or your account, hang up and call the official number from their website. Never use a number the caller gives you.
Tip
This single habit blocks the vast majority of phone-based scams, including bank impersonation.
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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