A warning appears in the corner of your screen: viruses found, subscription expired, call support now. Before touching its buttons, check where it came from. Websites that have permission to send browser notifications can reach you outside the page you were reading. A familiar logo does not make the message trustworthy.
1. Leave the alert alone. Do not call its number, buy its suggested fix, or install a tool from it. The FTC warns that fake security pop-ups use well-known company names to pull people into tech-support scams. If you are worried about your computer, open your existing security software directly.
2. Open the browser's own settings. In desktop Chrome, go to Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, then Notifications. Review the sites allowed to send notifications. Block an unfamiliar or unwanted site. You can add its address to the blocked list without visiting it again.
3. Choose a calmer default. If you rarely need website alerts, adjust whether sites may ask to send them. Chrome also offers quieter prompts. Keep useful notifications only when you know which service they belong to and want them. Menu labels and available controls vary across browsers and devices.
4. Check the result. If the alerts continue, confirm which browser or app is named as the sender. Website notifications, ordinary webpage pop-ups, and installed-app notifications have separate controls. Changing one setting may not stop the others.
Blocking notifications stops that site's messages; it does not remove software you already installed or undo information you shared. If you clicked through and installed something, use trusted security tools and the device maker's support guidance. If you gave away a password, change it through the real service. Contact your payment provider promptly if you paid a scammer.
You do not need to follow the alert to investigate it. Start with software and support channels you already know.