The rise of technology has helped humankind a lot. There are countless technologies that are elevating the user experience. But unfortunately, the same technologies are also used by scammers and fraudsters to trick innocent people into handing over their hard-earned money or sensitive information.
One of these scams is called a tech support scam. A tech support scam is when someone calls you up and pretends to be a representative from a legitimate technology company (like Microsoft or Dell). They then tell you that your computer or device has been compromised, and they want to help fix it for a fee. Of course, it might not be a phone call. Tech support scams are one of the most popular fake pop-ups.
This article will go over some common signs of tech support scams so you can identify them whenever someone tries calling you out of the blue trying to sell you something. It will also highlight some ways by which you can protect yourself from these scams.
Signs of Tech Support Scams
Now, these scams will not work unless you allow them to. Therefore, you need to be aware of the signs that might lead to a tech support scam in order to ensure your safety.
Fake Pop-ups
It is one of the popular ways of scamming people. Some of the websites may generate pop-ups that look like a legitimate warning from Microsoft or some other technology company stating that your computer is infected, and you need to contact tech support immediately.
It may also contain a number that you need to call. Beware that you do not call the number shown on the screen as legitimate tech giants do not ask you to do so.
Unnecessary Phone Calls
There is probably no way for a legitimate firm like Microsoft to know if there is an issue with your machine. If you have called them for help, then they will come to your help. But if you receive a phone call asking for any sort of payment and tech support, it is probably a scammer trying to trick you into paying for a fake service.
If the caller has asked for remote access over the computer or just wants to take control of your computer for any reason, do not allow them to do so. Also, if you are sure that some malicious content has infected your PC, then you can ask the caller to remotely access your machine using a legitimate method like TeamViewer.
Online Ads
If you browse the web on a daily basis, you must have observed countless ads on websites. These ads are the fastest ways for scammers to steal your personal data and money. A typical scammer will set an ad saying that there is a problem with your computer, and you need to contact the firm mentioned in the order. However, once you call them or click on their link, they will dupe you into paying for some useless services.
Some Useful Tips to Prevent Tech Support Scams
As per the Microsoft report, tech support scams are on the rise. However, there are some methods that can be used to prevent them. Let us take a look at some of those methods!
Avoid Calling the Provided Number
If you come across any pop-up that warns you about a problem and asks to call the number, do not do so. Remember, these are meant to generate a false amount of panic, so never call them back. Moreover, if you think that your computer has been compromised, do not rush to make a call. Instead, scan the system with legitimate antivirus software and then take action.
You can take your device to a legitimate service technician or go to the official website of the service provider if required.
Install an Ad-Blocker
As ads are the primary method for scamming these days, it is best to install an ad blocker on your PC. The ad blocker will prevent malicious ads from showing up on your desktop, and you can surf the web without any hassle. There are plenty of ad blockers out there, but we would recommend AdGuard or Ublock Origin. These are the best.
Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is an awesome way to protect yourself from the numerous tech support scams. Tools like Atlas VPN include additional protection against potentially dangerous websites and ads. Thus, your access to them will be blocked immediately. As a result, you won’t be faced with a decision to believe a message or not.
Final Words
Tech support scams are on the rise. Therefore, you need to be more aware and alert before letting anyone control your PC or charge you for some fake services. Ensure that you follow the above methods if you want to stay safe from these tech support scammers. As these are commonly related to the issues with your PC, invest in antivirus software to be aware of the issues that your PC might have.
