🔔 Fake Virus Alerts in Windows and Mac: Don’t Fall for Browser Notification Scams
Sep 04, 2025Have you ever seen a pop-up like this?
⚠️ “Your computer is infected! Call Microsoft Support immediately.”
💀 “Mac OS X has detected spyware. Click here to fix now!”
These scary alerts look like they’re from your system… but they’re not.
They’re fake warnings triggered by your browser — and they’re designed to trick you into calling a fake support number or downloading malware.
How It Starts:
It usually begins when you:
-
Visit a sketchy website (sometimes even by accident)
-
Click a misleading ad or download
-
Allow “notifications” from a website you shouldn’t trust
Once allowed, that site can bombard you with urgent, scary messages — even when your browser is closed.
What These Scams Try to Do:
Scammers want you to:
📞 Call a fake support line
🧑💻 Let them remote into your computer
💳 Pay for fake “virus removal” or bogus security software
🔐 Give them access to sensitive data or accounts
They rely on panic. And their goal is profit — not protection.
Real vs Fake: How to Tell the Difference
|
Real System Alert |
Fake Browser Scam |
|---|---|
|
Comes from your antivirus or system settings |
Comes from your browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge, etc.) |
|
No phone numbers shown |
Tells you to “Call Microsoft” or “Call Apple” |
|
Can be verified in your security settings |
Disappears when you close the browser tab or block notifications |
How To Stop It:
✅ On Windows (Chrome/Edge):
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Open Chrome or Edge
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Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Site Settings → Notifications
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Remove or block suspicious websites
✅ On Mac (Safari):
-
Open Safari
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Go to Safari → Settings → Websites → Notifications
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Deny access to unfamiliar sites
🛑 Don’t download anything from a pop-up.
🛑 Don’t call the number.
🛑 Don’t let strangers into your computer.
PCRescue Subscribers: You’re Already Protected
We actively block known scam sites, flag dangerous software, and help clean up pop-up alerts before they cause damage.
Need help cleaning up an infected browser or disabling scam notifications?
We’ve got you covered.
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