Infected Computer Warning - Virus/Phishing Attempt

Issue

Some users encounter desktop notifications warning of a virus infection or prompting them to run a virus scan. These alerts often:

Display branding from well-known anti-virus software (e.g. McAfee), even if it is not installed.
Show random or suspicious website addresses in the notification.
Appear after granting permission to a site (e.g. approving a CAPTCHA or allowing notifications).

Note: This is a phishing attempt. The goal is to lure you into clicking a malicious link, calling a fake support number, or providing personal information.

Examples (please note the browser name, and website URL in the screenshots below):

Resolution

To stop these notifications, remove or block the site’s permission to display pop-up alerts.

Steps for Microsoft Edge

Identify the Source
- Look for the Edge icon or name in the notification.
- Note the suspicious website address.
Open Microsoft Edge Settings
- Click the three dots ( … ) in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings.
- Choose Cookies and site permissions from the left pane.
- Select All sites and find the suspicious site in the list (use the Search field if needed).
Remove or Block Permissions
- Click the arrow beside the site to view permissions, then select Reset permissions.
- To block the site from sending notifications again:
  - Go to Cookies and site permissions → Notifications.
  - Under Block, click Add, enter the website address, then select Add.

Steps for Google Chrome

Identify the Source
- Check if the notification references Chrome or shows a Chrome icon.
- Note the suspicious website address.
Open Chrome Settings
- Click the three dots ( … ) in the top-right corner of Chrome.
- Select Settings.
- Scroll down and click Privacy and security on the left.
- Choose Site Settings.
- Under Permissions, select Notifications (or search for “Notifications” in the settings).
Remove or Block Permissions
- Locate the suspicious site under the Allowed section.
- Click the three dots beside the site and choose Remove or Block.
- If needed, click Add under the Block section, enter the website address, and select Add.

Additional Information

These alerts can appear in other browsers; steps are usually similar: open the browser’s settings, find the notifications or permissions section, and remove/block the suspicious site.
If you are receiving multiple alerts, repeat the removal or blocking steps for each site.
If problems persist after removing permissions, contact your IT service desk for further assistance.