Don’t be fooled (or frightened) if you see these messages.
So one day you’re browsing the internet and all of a sudden, your computer locks up, warning messages pop up all over the screen, and a voice urgently insists that you call this number as your computer has been infected. It’s a very unsettling experience but unfortunately not uncommon and it certainly does not mean your computer is infected. These scams have become a common, and often successful way of committing cyber fraud. However, there are simple ways to avoid falling for these trap pages. Here are a few tips to get rid of, and reduce the appearance, of these pages.
1. Use an Ad-blocker for your browser. Ad-blockers can often block these pop-ups, which are sometimes disguised as advertisements on a web page. Blocking the ads can help prevent these pages from appearing. We like this free one.
2. If you DO get a trap page, press and hold the power button on your computer for 15 seconds to shut it down, then restart. The page should be gone.
3. If you STILL have problems with these warning messages or they happen frequently, it may be time to bring your computer in for a checkup. The TMC2 checkup process is designed to minimize the appearance of these pages as well as remove any malicious software that may be directing you to these pages.
The bottom line is, these pages are scary because they are designed to be scary. So stay calm, restart your computer, and keep browsing knowing that if you truly need computer help, you know our number!