Situation: You’re browsing online, and suddenly a pop-up appears on your screen, indicating your device has a virus and prompts you to download a software to remove it.
If you’re dealing with virus alerts that keep popping up, here are some steps you can take to get rid of them:
1. Restart your computer
In a case you have clicked the alert download or scan link, the first step is to restart your computer. This should help you get rid of installing the virus.
2. Scan Your Computer
Even if you believe your system is clean, it’s a good idea to run a deep antivirus scan. To run Windows defense, please follow these steps: 1) Type Windows security in the search bar, open Windows security
2) Click on Virus & protection.
3) Click Scan options, select the option you prefer, for example Full scan. Then Scan now.
4) Follow the instruction to complete the scan.
3. Reset Browser Settings
If the pop-ups persist, consider resetting your browser settings to delete cookies, modify the Notification and restore the default state, which can help remove any suspicious extensions or settings that might be causing the alerts.
For Microsoft Edge
- Click 3 dots and then Settings.
- Click Privacy, search, and services and then click Choose what to clear under Clear browsing data.
- You have 4 options: Browsing history, Download history, Cookie and other site data and Caching images and files. Click Clear now to clear browsing data.
- Do the same in Clear browsing data for Internet Explorer. Note: You may not want to clear Passwords.
- Click Reset settings in the left pane, and explorer Restore settings to their default values. Click Reset.
For Google Chrome
- Click on 3 dots in Google Chrome and then Settings.
- Click Privacy and security and then Clear browsing data.
- Check whatever you want to clear and click on Clear data.
Note: If you click on Advanced, you may have more options.
- You can also modify Security.
- This is example settings.
- Click on Reset settings and then Restore settings to their original default.
- Click on Reset settings to reset Chrome to original settings.
4. Remove pop-ups from Extensions
For Microsoft edge
- Click 3 dots on the top right and then Extensions.
- Or click on Extensions icon.
- Click on manage extensions.
- You will have options to enable each extension, check the Details and Remove it.
For Google Chrome
- Click 3 dots and click on Extensions.
- Or click on Extensions icon on the top right.
- Click on Manage extensions.
- You will have options to enable each extension, check the Details and Remove it.
5. Configure Notifications
- Go to Edge Settings and click on Cookies and site permissions. Click on Notifications.
- You can configure Notification here.
For Chrome
- Got to Settings and click Privacy and security Site Settings. Then Site settings.
- Click Notifications.
- You can manage the Notification here..
6. Block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
For Microsoft Edge
- In Edge, go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects. Manage the Block settings here.
For Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Pop-ups and redirects. Manage the Block settings here.
Please view this step by step video:
