Microsoft didn’t really detect that security error

If you use a computer, chances are you’ve seen a popup message like this: “Microsoft detected security error. Due to suspicious activity found on your computer. Contact Microsoft-Certified Live Technicians, 800 xxx-xxxx.”

Sometimes there is even an element of guilt blaming the problem on a “recently visited adult site.”

It’s widely known that this is a scam.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Scammers may call, place alarming pop-up messages on your computer, offer free ‘security’ scans, or set up fake websites — all to convince you that your computer is infected. The scammers try to get you on the phone, and then work to convince you there’s a problem. Finally, they ask you to pay them to fix that non-existent problem.”

These pop-ups are technically similar to ads. Some invade your browser from an infected website that you are directed to through a link that purports to be for something else. Malwaretips.com lists more than 170 such scam

websites. Many drop terms such as Microsoft or other words in the name to make them appear legitimate.

Ifyou contact the scammersor talk to them, they willask you to allow them toaccess your computer remotely.Once they are in, theywill install malware.

Neither Microsoft nor any other reputable company would direct you to service in this way.

If you get a popup message, what should you do?

Don’t freak out, a browser hack is less serious than a system hack. Remember it is not true that your computer is infected.

Kill the tab you are in or close the browser. Sometimes the bad guys will disable a shutdown and you may have to go to your task manager and kill the browser process or on a Mac do a force quit.

Once you get the browser shut down, run your virus protection program to clean up any problems. Since the pop-up works like a piece of adware, maker sure your security program is capable of finding adware. Most do.

You also could run a malware-killing program. Malwarebytes.com has a good free one.

A note on downloading programs from the Internet. A search can lead you to a bogus site that looks genuine but only downloads more malware. Find a recommendation for a program from a trusted source and go directly to the website of the company that makes it by entering the URL in your browser. Malwarebytes.com would be an example.

If you are constantly suspicious and understand the tricks of the scammers, you can avoid a digital headache.

Boob tube falls to second. Next year, people around the world will spend more time online than they do watching TV, according to new data from measurement company Zenith, Recode reports.

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