Hang Up on Unsolicited Tech Support Calls

A call or a pop-up warning that your computer is infected and needs immediate action is designed to make you panic before you think. Real companies like Microsoft or your bank don't cold-call customers about viruses, and a legitimate security alert never asks you to install remote-access software for a stranger on the phone.

If this happens, hang up or close the browser without clicking anything, and never grant remote access to your device based on a call you didn't initiate. If you're unsure whether a warning is real, restart the computer and check with the software's official website directly — not through any link or number the pop-up gave you.