Pop-up help
Seeing a scary pop-up? Take a breath.
Pop-ups like this are common and usually fake. You did the right thing by stopping. Follow these calm steps.
Don’t call any number in the pop-up. Don’t type passwords or card numbers, and don’t let anyone connect to your computer.
Close your web browser
These warnings usually come from a web page, not from your computer itself.
WindowsPress Alt + F4.MacPress Command + Q.If it won’t close, force it to quit
WindowsPress Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Click your browser, then click End task.MacPress Option + Command + Esc, or choose Apple menu → Force Quit. Pick your browser, then click Force Quit.Last resort: turn the computer off
Only if nothing else works, hold the power button for up to 10 seconds until it turns off. Anything you haven’t saved may be lost.
Open your browser again
If it offers to restore your old tabs, choose No.
Did you already give out information?
If you let someone connect or gave card details, call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
Get a free check
We’ll look at it with you and tell you honestly if anything else needs doing.
Keyboard steps follow Microsoft’s and Apple’s own help pages.