Hey everyone! So, I was on my desktop downloading music (probably not the smartest move) and got curious about Piratebay. While I was fiddling around in the audio section, I accidentally clicked on a sketchy tab. Then, a notification popped up claiming malware was detected on my device with an option to delete it. It had this red shield icon and a bunch of random letters and numbers at the top. There was also a blurry alert indicating a virus was detected, with the count bouncing up and down in a loop (like 1,2,3,4,5 but it just kept repeating). Because it looked really sketchy, I didn't click it. Instead, I went straight to my settings and ran several scans with Windows Defender, but nothing turned up. I did a thorough security check that took a while, but afterward, the notifications disappeared. I checked my file explorer and didn't see any new downloads or anything odd. I usually handle tech issues pretty well, but just to be safe, I want to know—am I good? Is my computer safe?
1 Answer
It sounds like that popup was probably a scam trying to scare you into clicking on something harmful. Definitely a smart move not to engage! I recommend backing up your bookmarks, closing Edge, and then using Task Manager to end any Microsoft Edge processes. After that, reopen Edge and see if it starts fresh. You might also want to clear your browser’s cache, cookies, and history to be safe. If it continues to bother you, you can reset Edge through the Apps and Features in your settings!
Thanks for the advice! I shut my computer off since I was late for work. Does that change anything?