How To Stop Fake Virus Pop-Ups On Your Windows PC
That "critical Microsoft alert" is a scam that tricks you into installing actual malware.
Jen Insyxiengmai/Getty Images
You're browsing as normal, when all of a sudden you see an urgent pop-up flashing an alarming warning that your computer has been infected with a virus. The good news is these alerts are almost always fake: they sometimes occur when websites have been compromised and send notifications to make you think your computer is infected. But if you fall for this, you may actually download malware.
Cybersecurity researchers call these tactics "scareware," because they induce a state of panic for those on the receiving end. They're not uncommon: one strain of browser-based scareware called CypherLoc has hit more than 2.8 million people since the start of 2026, according to a study from security firm Barracuda.
Like many attacks, the goal here is gaining access to your computer or stealing your money....
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