Defender locked my computer

Question

I clicked a Facebook message and audio said Windows Defender had locked my pc, and that I shouldphone a particular number for MS windows support.

Answer 1

Can you please hold down Ctrl+Alt+Del, then launch Task Manager, and then end all browser items there to close it. That page is definitely scam, but as long as you didn't call the number and engage in any of the requested activities, your computer is not hacked. It is just a pop up page that can have some audio effect (sometimes) and display in full screen mode, so it appears the computer is locked.

Scammers use various methods to trigger these pop-ups. Pop-ups are a form of online advertising. They are often integrated into websites or applications through ad services. Many websites (such as Facebook) use third-party advertising services to display ads. Sometimes, these ad services might inadvertently allow scam ads to be displayed. This does not mean the website itself is malicious, but it indicates a lack of stringent ad vetting.

You can read more about this type of support scam here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435

Answer 2

It sounds like you may have encountered a tech support scam. Microsoft will never contact you through unsolicited messages or calls to request access to your device or to fix your computer. If you see a message claiming that Windows Defender has locked your PC and instructing you to call a specific number, it is likely a scam.

To protect yourself, do not call the number provided in the message. Instead, if you believe your computer is genuinely at risk, you should initiate contact with Microsoft through their official support channels. You can visit the Microsoft Support website to find the appropriate contact information. Additionally, ensure that you run a full scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus to check for any malware that may have been installed on your device.

Be cautious and always verify any support requests directly through Microsoft’s official resources.