t started with a pop-up that froze Jenna’s screen, warning her of a critical security threat and urging her to call “Microsoft Support” immediately. Alarmed by the message and worried about potential damage to her system—or her company’s network—she called the number. The person who answered sounded professional and calm, insisting that immediate action was necessary to stop an active attack.
He guided Jenna through installing a so-called security tool to fix the problem remotely. Instead of removing a virus, the software gave him full access to her computer, allowing him to install malicious programs and demand payment for “emergency services.” By the time Jenna realized something wasn’t right, the warning was gone—but the damage was already done.
Did You Spot the Red Flags?
- Legitimate tech companies don’t use alarming pop-ups that freeze your screen and pressure you to call a phone number right away.
- Unsolicited requests to install tools that allow someone to remotely control your computer are a major warning sign.
How to Protect Yourself
- If you see a pop-up, email, or phone call claiming there’s an urgent tech issue, stop and verify it independently.
- Only allow screen sharing or remote tools when you personally contacted a verified support team and know exactly who you’re working with.
Visit our Fraud & Security Center for the latest scam alerts and all the ways you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.