Warning alerts

Those warning pop‑ups are most likely either:

• Website pop‑ups inside Edge, or
• Website notification “toasts” coming from Edge/Windows, often from scam sites pretending to be security alerts.

Turn off pop‑ups in Edge (desktop)

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Select Settings and more (…) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
4. Select Site permissions > All permissions.
5. Select Pop-ups and redirects and turn on Blocked (recommended).

If the pop‑ups still appear, also do the following:

1. Make sure Edge is up to date (Settings > About Microsoft Edge).
2. Scan the device for malware using Windows Security (see Stay protected with Windows Security in the linked article).
3. Disable extensions temporarily:
   • Settings and more (…) > Extensions > Manage extensions.
   • Turn off all extensions, test, then re‑enable one by one to find the culprit.

Stop fake “security” notifications from websites These often come from sites that were allowed to send notifications.

1. In Edge, select Settings and more (…) > Settings.
2. Go to Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites.
3. Select any suspicious site and, under Notifications, choose Block.

Or, when on a site that is showing these alerts:

1. Select View site information (the lock/info icon to the left of the address bar).
2. Under Permissions for this site > Notifications, choose Block.

If the screen ever appears “locked” with a Defender or support warning that includes a phone number, close the browser instead of calling:

• Press Ctrl+Alt+Del > Task Manager and end the browser task, or
• Press Alt+F4 repeatedly to close the browser window.

These alerts are typically scams; as long as no phone number is called, no remote access is granted, and no software is installed, the system is usually not compromised.

References:

• Block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
• Use a screen reader to block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
• Manage website notifications in Microsoft Edge
• How can I remove McAfee Norton Pop Ups on Windows 11? It is not showing up on Apps or Task Manager. - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft Defender Scam or Do I have a virus on my computer - Microsoft Q&A
• possible virus, computer locked - Microsoft Q&A
• Windows defender scam - Microsoft Q&A
• Microsoft Edge app help