Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Deceptive site keeps opening a tab on my browser telling me my computer has a virus. How can I block the site?

  • 4 replies
  • 5 have this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by FredMcD

more options

There's this deceptive site that suddenly opens a tab on my browser... a pop up message appears telling me that my computer is infected by a virus and that I have to contact a certain number and it won't allow me to close the tab or the browser . I have to shutdown the computer each time. I then restart and open a private browsing window and delete the history. It works temporarily. But every few weeks or days, it comes up again and has become so annoying. Is there a way to block it from Firefox?

There's this deceptive site that suddenly opens a tab on my browser... a pop up message appears telling me that my computer is infected by a virus and that I have to contact a certain number and it won't allow me to close the tab or the browser . I have to shutdown the computer each time. I then restart and open a private browsing window and delete the history. It works temporarily. But every few weeks or days, it comes up again and has become so annoying. Is there a way to block it from Firefox?

Chosen solution

If it's like the fake FBI/Interpol browser lock page, This add-on can stop such pages; https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/disallow-script-button/ disallow Script Button

The Disallow Script button looks like a letter "M" and the title is the Minus Script, drag and drop the button on a toolbar. If the button is not displayed then nothing operates, except rules for plugins.


Another way out of the trap is to (force it if needed) Close Firefox. Wait about 20 seconds for Firefox to finish closing. Right-click on the Firefox icon and select Open New Window.


Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit. This will flush out that web page from the Session Store.

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (4)

more options

. Whenever you get a message / popup like that;

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE PROVIDED LINKS OR ANY PHONE NUMBERS ! !

Such messages are only Spam that could lead you to Fake Support. Not only can they damage or hack your system, they charge you to do so.

You can report such a site at; Google Report Phishing Page {web link} which is the same when done while on site by going to Help > Report Web Forgery

Help us safeguard Mozilla’s trademarks by reporting misuse {web link}


Go to the Mozilla Add-ons Web Page {web Link} (There’s a lot of good stuff here) and search for a good ad / pop-up blocker.

more options

Chosen Solution

If it's like the fake FBI/Interpol browser lock page, This add-on can stop such pages; https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/disallow-script-button/ disallow Script Button

The Disallow Script button looks like a letter "M" and the title is the Minus Script, drag and drop the button on a toolbar. If the button is not displayed then nothing operates, except rules for plugins.


Another way out of the trap is to (force it if needed) Close Firefox. Wait about 20 seconds for Firefox to finish closing. Right-click on the Firefox icon and select Open New Window.


Sometimes this works. If it opens, close it by Menu > File > Exit. This will flush out that web page from the Session Store.

more options

Thank you for your suggestions. I tried to download the "disallow script button" add on, but I wasn't able to. It's not compatible with my the latest Firefox version.

Anyway, if it pops up again, I guess I will just have to quit and restart the computer.

more options

FredMcD said

Go to the Mozilla Add-ons Web Page {web Link} (There’s a lot of good stuff here) and search for a good ad / pop-up blocker.