Muse Shield · daily scam letter

The "Your Computer Is Infected" Popup

October 6, 2026

Daily Scam Letter — one scam, plain English, every morning.

Hi, it's Eli.

You're browsing the web and your screen suddenly freezes — a loud voice warns that your computer is infected, and a big red message orders you to call "Microsoft Support" right away. Don't touch anything, it says. It even locks your screen so you can't close it.

That popup is the scam. There is no virus. The number connects you to a fake "technician" who shows you scary-looking (but meaningless) error screens, then "fixes" your computer for a few hundred dollars — or asks for your bank details to "refund" you. Sometimes they install real spyware while they're pretending to help. Microsoft, Apple, and Google will never, ever make you call them like this.

Red flags:

• A popup or voice telling you to call a number immediately — real companies never do this
• They ask for remote access to your computer, or payment by gift card, wire transfer, or crypto
• The warning has spelling mistakes, odd-looking phone numbers, or names like "Micorsoft"

What to do instead: Don't call the number. Close your browser completely — or restart your computer — and the popup dies with it. If you're still worried, look up the company's real phone number yourself and call them.

Stay sharp out there.

— Eli