A frightening virus warning appeared
A page says my computer is infected and tells me to call a number. Is it real?
Written by The CommonFixes team · fact checked by CommonFixes review desk
Last updated
Short answer
This is a scam page, not a real infection. No genuine security program ever asks you to phone a number. The quickest thing to try first: do not call and do not pay — The number connects to people who want remote access to your computer and your bank details. Ignore every instruction on that page. Most people are done in about 5 minutes.
Full walkthrough below: 5 steps for Windows and Mac, rated easy.
Sounds like this
- •Full screen warning with a phone number
- •Alarm sound
- •Page will not close
Why it happens
This is a scam page, not a real infection. No genuine security program ever asks you to phone a number.
Work through these in order
0% done- 1
Do not call and do not pay
The number connects to people who want remote access to your computer and your bank details. Ignore every instruction on that page.
- 2
Close the window by force
Press Control, Shift and Escape, find your browser in the list, and choose End task. On a Mac use Command, Option and Escape.
- 3
Reopen without restoring tabs
When the browser reopens and offers to restore pages, decline. Otherwise the scam page returns immediately.
- 4
Run a genuine scan for peace of mind
Open Windows Security and run a full scan, or use Malwarebytes Free. This confirms nothing was actually installed.
- 5
Block future notifications from that site
In browser settings, open Notifications and remove any site you do not recognise.
If none of that worked
If you already gave someone remote access, disconnect from the internet, change your passwords from a different device, and contact your bank.
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Who wrote this and how we checked it
The CommonFixes team
Writer and researcher
We are a small group of people who spend our days repairing laptops and desktops for family, friends and small offices. Every guide here starts with a problem someone actually brought to us, and we only write down the steps that put the machine right.
- Everyday repairs
- Windows and Mac
- Plain language
CommonFixes review desk
Technical editor
Before a guide goes live, a second person walks through it on a real machine and checks each instruction against the maker's own support pages. Anything we cannot confirm is removed rather than guessed at.
- Fact checking
- Safety warnings
- Source links
This guide was last updated on 10 August 2026. If a step no longer matches what you see on screen, tell us on the contact page and we will test it again.
A gentle reminder: back up anything you cannot afford to lose before major repairs. If a step ever feels risky, stop and ask a technician. There is no shame in that.