Flashing warnings, a phone number to call, and an alarm sound? It is a scam — here is how to close it.
Quick fix⏱ 5–15 minWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
A full-screen browser warning saying your computer is infected, often with a loud alarm, a countdown, and a "support" phone number, is a tech-support scam. Real antivirus software does not show warnings inside a web page, and Microsoft and Apple do not put phone numbers in error messages.
The page itself is usually harmless unless you call the number, install what it asks, or give someone remote access. Closing it properly is the fix.
Try these first — 30 seconds each
[ ]Do not call the number, click anything on the page, or type any passwords.
[ ]Close the browser tab or the whole browser.
[ ]If the page will not close, force-quit the browser.
The full fix
5 steps in the order that solves it fastest, plus platform notes, prevention, and when to call
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1
Force-close the browser
Windows: Ctrl+Shift+Esc → select the browser → End task. Mac: Command+Option+Esc → select the browser → Force Quit. Phones: swipe the browser away from the app switcher.
2
Do not restore the session
When you reopen the browser it may offer to restore tabs — decline, or hold Shift while opening (on Mac) to skip restoring windows. Otherwise the scam page comes straight back.
3
Remove notification permissions
Some scams trick you into allowing site notifications and then push fake alerts. In browser settings, look for Site settings → Notifications and remove anything unfamiliar.
4
Check extensions
Open the browser's extensions page and remove anything you did not install deliberately, especially "search", "coupon", or "security" extensions.
5
If you called or gave access
Disconnect from the internet, uninstall any remote-access software they asked you to install (such as screen-sharing tools you do not normally use), change important passwords from another device, and contact your bank if you paid anything.
Platform notes
Windows
Windows Security's full scan is enough to check for real malware afterwards; you do not need to buy anything.
iPhone
Calendar spam ("Your iPhone is infected") comes from subscribed calendars — remove them in Settings → Calendar → Accounts.
Stop it happening again
Keep your browser and system updated.
Use an ad blocker from your browser's official extension store — many scam pages arrive via malicious ads.
Tell older relatives about this scam; they are the main targets.
When to get professional help
If you paid scammers or gave them remote access, report it to your bank and to your national fraud reporting service, and have a trusted technician check the computer.
This is general troubleshooting information for home users. Menus and settings differ between
device models and software versions. Back up important data before making changes, and contact
the manufacturer or an authorised repair provider for hardware faults or anything under
warranty.
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