IT Security Tip #14: If this type of alert pops up, DON’T click on it!

IT Security Tip #14: If this type of alert pops up, DON’T click on it!

image-security-first-thing-to-do-when-hackedQuick Tip:  Close your entire browser, not just the pop up.

Why? You’re working at your computer when all of the sudden – BAM! – you get a pop-up notification that your PC is infected with a virus and you must “click here” to run a scan or install antivirus software. This is a common scareware tactic used by hackers to get you to click and download a virus.

Often it will appear to be a system alert or a Microsoft operating system alert.

Regardless of how legitimate it looks, NEVER click on the site or the pop-up.

What To Do:

The safest thing to do is close your browser; do not click on the X, “Close” or “Cancel” button in the pop-up or on the site because clicking on anything on the page or pop-up will trigger a virus download. Often, Alt-F4 will work as well.

If that won’t work, bring up your task manager (hold Control + Alt + Delete on a PC or Command + Option + Esc to “Force Quit” on a Mac) and close the web browser or application where it appeared.

Next, notify your IT department (us!) that this has happened so we can double-check with a legitimate scan if your computer was infected.