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How to remove tech support scam pop-ups in Windows
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Hackers never sleep, we all know this. However, it appears that the number of hacking attacks has increased lately, with more and more Windows users reporting such events. Hackers are smart people, and they use a variety of methods to access your computer: they send youemailspretending to be from Microsoft’s Support Team, or they simplycall youto offer you tech support.
Another common modus operandi are the tech support scam pop-ups, informing users their systems are at risk and immediate tech support is required. Oftentimes, these pop-ups appear “at the right moment”, when your computerisn’t working really welldue to variousissues. This coincidence makes the tech support scams even more reliable and unfortunately many users take the bite.
If you ever receive suchtech support pop-ups, you shouldnever everuse the contact information they provide you with. Instead, take action to remove these annoying tech support scam pop-ups.
Tech support scam pop-ups are on the rise
“My computer has been infected by spyware or scamware. It wants me to call 855-309-0456. It has locked up Windows Defender and has hidden from Malwarebytes and McAfee. Any Suggestions?”
How to remove tech support scam pop-ups
The majority of these scam pop-ups run an active script, locking up the browser. The script displays the fake alert window every time you click on the X button or on the OK button, preventing you from regaining access to your browser’s graphical interface.
- Install one of the following antimalware programs listed in our “10 best anti-hacking software for Windows 10″ article, and perform a full system scan.
We suggest you first install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, HitmanPro or Spybot Search & Destroy. Since all the anti-hacking software we listed in our top 10 article use different malware database signatures, we recommend you run a scan using at least three of them. This should be enough to detect and remove any unwanted software or browser hijack programs. Disable the previous anti-hacking software before installing a new one to avoid possible conflicts.
- Install a specializedantivirus program for browsingto block future tech support scam pop-ups.
Common tech support scam phone numbers and websites
Since prevention is better than cure, beware of the following phone numbers and websites, which are used by hackers for their tech support scams.
Don’t ever call these phone numbers (the list is not exhaustive):
List of malicious tech support scams websites (the list is not exhaustive):
For extra anti-hacking protection, don’t forget to enable the real-time protection feature on your antivirus, and run ananti-hacking programat the same time, one which doesn’t cause conflicts with your antivirus.
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More about the topics:Cybersecurity
Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer.
She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies – AI and DNA computing in particular.
Prior to joining the WindowsReport team, she worked in the corporate world for a number of years.
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Madalina Dinita
Networking & Security Specialist
Madalina is a Windows fan since forever, especially interested in AI, emerging technologies, privacy, and security.
