Pop-Up Panic: Malware Strikes Again!

We recently had a customer reach out in a panic (this type of call happens more often than you’d think). They were working on their computer when a bright red screen suddenly appeared, warning them that their system was infected with a virus. The message urged them to call a specific phone number immediately to avoid data loss. But here’s the kicker: they couldn’t close the window—clicking the ‘X’ didn’t work, and their computer froze entirely.

The Customer's First Step: What to Do if This Happens to You

We always tell our customers that pop-ups like these are usually fake alerts, designed to scare users into calling fake "support" numbers. Here’s what you can do if you’re in this situation:

1. Turn Off or Restart Your Computer – This often clears the pop-up, breaking its grip on your screen.
2. DO NOT Call the Number on the Screen – These are scam attempts. Call someone you trust—like us—or another reputable tech service instead.
3. Get Professional Help – Even if the pop-up goes away after a reboot, it's wise to have your system checked and cleaned to make sure nothing is lurking behind the scenes.

What We Did: Malware Cleanup in Action

When the customer called us, we jumped into action with a remote session to thoroughly scan and clean their system. As it turns out, it wasn’t a full-blown virus but a sneaky piece of malware that had gotten through. These pop-ups are not just an annoyance—they’re often a form of phishing, attempting to trick users into handing over sensitive information.

While the goal of phishing is to steal personal data, malware like this also has a way of slowing down your system and making it frustrating to use. Our cleanup involved:

• Removing the malware that was causing the pop-ups and slowing the computer.
• Running multiple security scans to ensure nothing else was hiding in the background.
• Updating their security software to prevent future issues.

Now, the customer’s computer is back to normal—running smoothly and safely.

We’re always happy to provide cleanup services to anyone who needs them! But for those looking for extra peace of mind, we also offer monthly service plans that can help eliminate these issues from happening in the first place. And if something does sneak through? We clean it up for free as part of the plan!

Stay informed, stay safe, and stay connected with us this Cybersecurity Awareness Month!