You’re online, minding your business, when suddenly a loud warning flashes across your screen:
“Your computer is infected. Take action NOW.”

Your heart jumps.
Is this real?
Did something just happen to your device?

Scary pop-ups are designed to do exactly that—trigger fear and rush you into a bad decision. They often look official, sound urgent, and demand immediate action, but in most cases, they are scams.

In this post, I’ll explain what scary pop-ups really are, why they work so well, and—most importantly—what to do immediately if you see one, so you can respond calmly and protect yourself and your family.