Pop-up says my computer has a virus or is locked
Take a breath: this is almost always a scary-looking web page, not a real virus, and you can close it safely.
Be careful: Real warnings from Microsoft, Apple or your antivirus never show a phone number and never ask you to call. Never call, pay, or let anyone connect to your computer.
What to do
Pick your kind of computer:
Not sure? How to tell which computer you have
Step 1: Don't call the number, click anything on the page, or type anything into it.
Step 2: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc together to open Task Manager. (If you only see a small box, click More details.)
Step 3: Click your web browser in the list, for example Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
Step 4: Click End task. The pop-up and the noise should stop.
Step 5: Open the browser again. If it offers to restore your pages, close that message or choose not to, so the scam page doesn't come back.
Step 6: If the keys don't work, hold the computer's power button for 10 seconds to turn it off, then turn it back on.
Step 7: To be safe, run a scan: click Start, type Windows Security, open it, click Virus & threat protection and click Quick scan.
Step 1: Don't call the number, click anything on the page, or type anything into it.
Step 2: Press Command + Option + Esc together to open Force Quit Applications.
Step 3: Click your web browser, for example Safari or Google Chrome, then click Force Quit.
Step 4: Hold the Shift key while you open the browser again, so it doesn't reopen the scam page.
Step 5: If the keys don't work, hold the power button (or Touch ID button) for 10 seconds to turn the Mac off, then turn it back on.
Step 6: Keep your Mac updated in System Settings > General > Software Update, as macOS checks for harmful software by itself.
Step 1: Don't call the number, click anything on the page, or type anything into it.
Step 2: Press Search + Esc (or Launcher + Esc) to open Task Manager.
Step 3: Click Browser in the list and click End process.
Step 4: Open Chrome again. If it offers to restore your pages, close that message so the scam page doesn't come back.
Step 5: If the keys don't work, hold the power button until the Chromebook turns off, then turn it back on.
Still stuck? If you already called the number, paid, or let someone connect, follow the answers 'I let a stranger connect to my computer' and 'I paid a scammer' right away, or ask a trusted friend or repair shop for help.