You're browsing normally when suddenly your entire screen is taken over by a red warning: "MICROSOFT SECURITY ALERT: Your computer has been compromised. All your files are at risk. Call 1-800-XXX-XXXX immediately. DO NOT SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER." A loud alarm plays. The screen won't close.

This is the tech support scam. It's browser-based, meaning no actual malware is on your computer — it's just a webpage designed to look like a system alert. But it is extraordinarily convincing, especially for anyone unfamiliar with how real Microsoft alerts work.

The truth

Microsoft, Apple, and Google never display phone numbers in security alerts. No webpage can detect viruses on your computer. No real security alert plays audio or locks your browser. If you see this — your computer is fine. The webpage is the scam.

What happens when you call

A "technician" with an official-sounding name picks up. They're professional, patient, and helpful. They ask for remote access to "diagnose the problem." Once they have access, they show you "evidence" of infection — your computer's event viewer always shows some errors, which they present as proof of a virus. They offer to fix it for $299–$499.

In more aggressive versions, they access your bank account while connected and make transfers, or install actual malware that steals passwords.

How to escape a frozen screen

How to get out of it
  • Try closing the tab: Press Ctrl+W (PC) or Cmd+W (Mac)
  • If that doesn't work: Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete (PC) and end the browser task, or force-quit on Mac (Cmd+Option+Escape)
  • If nothing works: Hold the power button for 5 seconds to force shutdown
  • After restarting: Your computer is fine. Open a different browser and don't go back to that site.
  • If you already gave remote access: Disconnect from the internet immediately and call a trusted local tech person

If you already paid

Call your bank or credit card company immediately and report it as fraud. If you paid by gift card, call the gift card company. Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to Microsoft at microsoft.com/reportascam.

Written by Garland A. Hurt, Founder & Information Security Officer, ProtectMyCircle.

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