possible security breach

Question

I was on a legitimate website and suddenly my computer screen opens several windows and says my computer may have been breached and files infected. I should call microsoft at 866-315-0526 and not close down. Is the number legitimate.

Answer 1

The phone number shown in that pop‑up should be treated as part of a tech support scam, not as a legitimate Microsoft number.

Microsoft guidance states that:

• Microsoft does not send unsolicited messages or make unsolicited phone calls to provide technical support or request personal/financial information.
• Error and warning messages from Microsoft never include a phone number to call.

The behavior described—sudden pop‑ups, warnings that the computer is breached, instructions not to close the browser, and a number to call—matches known tech support scam tactics.

What to do now:

1. Do not call that number and do not provide any personal, financial, or password information.
2. Close the browser:
   • Try Alt+F4 to close the window, or
   • Press Ctrl+Alt+Del, open Task Manager, and end the browser process.
3. If the browser won’t close, restart the computer.
4. After restart, reopen the browser and decline any prompt to “restore previous pages.”
5. Optionally, clear the browser cache and run a scan with Microsoft Defender.
6. Report the scam to Microsoft at https://www.microsoft.com/reportascam.

If remote access was not granted and no software was installed at the scammer’s request, the system is typically not compromised; the pop‑up itself is just a malicious web page.

---

References:

• Protect yourself from tech support scams
• Protect yourself from online scams and attacks
• Tech support scams
• Microsoft Defender Scam or Do I have a virus on my computer - Microsoft Q&A
• How do I report a possible scam from Microsoft? - Microsoft Q&A
• Who do I call for support? - Microsoft Q&A
• why can't you block AnyTech365.com....they are a scam company posing as Microsoft supported, stealing information? - Microsoft Q&A

Answer 2

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 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/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435