2026-09-26
'Your PC is infected' warnings are almost always fake: how to close them, and what to do if you already called
A browser page shouting 'your computer is infected' with a phone number is a tech support scam. Japan's IPA says that if the screen merely appeared, the PC is not infected and closing it is enough, and that most victims get hurt because they couldn't close it and called. This site's view: the goal of the fake warning is not infection — it is getting you to call. Genuine security features never show a phone number. If you can close it, you're done; if it went further, act on the stage you reached.