Hey everyone! I was researching Russia's history when I received a notification claiming that my mom's laptop had a virus. I impulsively clicked on 'clean computer' which directed me to a website with an error message. Now the laptop won't power on at all, despite me trying to disconnect from Wi-Fi and reboot it. I'm really worried about getting in trouble for this! Any quick advice to fix this? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
That notification you saw was likely a scam! If you discover that your computer is still not responding, check your browser settings to disable notifications. It might be worth looking into using a good ad blocker too.
You should definitely run a scan with Microsoft Defender. Just start it up with the charger connected. If you're still anxious after that, consider downloading Malwarebytes for a second opinion. Also, remember that ad blockers can be really helpful to avoid these kinds of deceptive ads in the future!
It sounds like you might have fallen for a scareware ad, which often tricks people into thinking their devices are infected. Don't panic! First, plug the laptop in and try to turn it on. If it’s still not working, unplug it for a minute, then plug it back in and try again. If it does turn on, disable the internet first. You can then use Windows Defender to run a quick scan followed by a full scan to check for any issues.
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