McAfee is tracking an increase in the use of deceptive pop-up ads that mislead some users into taking action, while annoying many others. In 2023, consumers reported about $1.3 billion in total losses from tech support and government impersonation scams that started as pop-up ads or an unsolicited call, email, or text. 

These ads usually alert you that your computer or mobile device has been infected with a virus or malware. Sometimes, the pop-up ads come with siren sound effects blaring in the background, aiming to send you into a tailspin of fear, panic, and confusion. The message urges you to click on a link or call the advertiser’s number for technical assistance in removing the virus. You’re not sure what to do. It might be a legitimate virus alert. Should you call the number or just close the browser to stop the scam advertisement? 

There has been some confusion about how pop-up ads should be handled. This article will teach you how to tell the difference between a scam and a legitimate advertisement, and show simple steps you can take to protect yourself from pop-up ad scams.

The sources of pop-up ads

A browser pop-up is a small window of advertisement that suddenly appears on your computer screen while you are browsing. Not all pop-ups are bad; some are used for legitimate purposes like displaying a video, providing a login form, or asking for confirmation of an action. However, many ads are used for intrusive advertising or more malicious purposes. 

These pop-up ads are caused by adware—also known as advertising-supported software—in your system. Harmless adware is legitimate and legal, created by reputable developers to send you ads and software promos. This type of adware asks for your consent before it sends you ads. 

The other kind of adware is malicious, and commonly the source of unwanted pop-up ads. Also known as browser push notifications, these alerts are sent by scammers who trick you into giving the permissions, eventually leading to a constant stream of fake pop-ups.

What happens next?

Once you allow the notifications, you will start receiving these pop-up ads, sometimes as often as every minute. Among the most common types of pop-up ads are fake virus alerts that could lead to an imposter Windows Defender alert website, complete with sound effects and a phone number to call. In other examples, social engineering is crafted around the McAfee name and logo. Clicking on the messages will lead you to various websites saying your subscription has expired, that threats on your system have been detected, or will direct you to links where you can renew your service subscription.

Alerts to “Remove Ads” and similar buttons will also typically lead to the publishers’ chosen destination, which themselves will prompt more notifications rather than disable the pop-ups. This can have a cascading effect where the user is soon flooded with messages on a regular basis.

The impact of pop-ups

While often just an annoyance, persistent pop-ups can pose genuine risks to your digital life. On the security front, many fake pop-ups are designed for phishing—tricking you into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal data. A convincing but fake McAfee pop-up will urge you to enter your login credentials on a fraudulent website, leading to identity theft and financial loss. From a privacy perspective, interacting with these pop-ups can allow trackers to gather data about your browsing habits. These interruptions also impact your productivity by slowing down your device and cluttering your screen, in turn eroding your trust in legitimate security alerts. 

Learn to spot the fake pop-up ad

Knowing how to recognize these deceptive messages is key to staying safe online. The tips below will help you identify the telltale signs of fake pop-up ads and avoid falling for their traps.

  • Check the source: Genuine virus or malware alerts originate directly from the online security software installed on your computer like McAfee. A fake pop-up will appear within your web browser and often shows the website’s URL at the top of the pop-up notification.
  • Look at the language and design: Official notifications use professional language and high-quality graphics with the correct logo. Scams often contain typos, grammatical errors, pixelated images, or use urgent and alarming language to create panic.
  • Verify in the app: The safest way to confirm an alert is to ignore the pop-up and open your security application directly from your desktop or Applications folder. If the threat or notification is real, it will be displayed in your security software dashboard.
  • Avoid suspicious links: A legitimate alert will guide you within the app. A fake pop-up will try to send you to a website or ask you to call a phone number. Never click links or call numbers from a pop-up you don’t trust.

Stop McAfee pop-ups

If you want to lessen the number of pop-up ads from your McAfee software, this can be easily remedied. Simply follow these simple steps: 

On Windows 11

  1. Adjust McAfee alert settings: Open your McAfee software. Navigate to My Protection > General Settings > Informational Alerts. Here, you can choose which non-critical notifications to receive, helping reduce informational McAfee pop-ups.
  2. Manage notifications in Windows 11: Press the Windows key + I to open Settings > System > Notifications. Scroll down to find McAfee in the app list and you can turn the notifications off if you prefer not to see them. 
  3. Clear Microsoft Edge permissions: If the pop-ups persist, they are likely from your browser, instead of your McAfee application. Open Edge and go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Notifications. Review the Allow list and remove or block any suspicious websites.

On Chrome

  1. Manage site notifications: If the McAfee pop-up persists, it’s likely a browser notification. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > Notifications. Under the Allowed to send notifications section, find any unfamiliar websites, click the three dots next to them, and select Block or Remove.
  2. Install McAfee WebAdvisor: Add the free McAfee WebAdvisor extension to Chrome. It proactively warns you about malicious websites and helps block pop-ups before they appear, providing an extra layer of security.
  3. Run a security scan: Open your McAfee application and run a full system scan. This will help detect and remove any adware or malicious programs generating the pop-ups.
  4. Keep Chrome updated: Ensure your Chrome browser is always up to date. Go to Settings > About Chrome to check for and apply any available updates, which include important security fixes.

Malicious adware: the source of fake virus pop-ups

If you’ve blocked notifications and are still receiving virus alert pop-up ads, you may have the malicious type of adware. These scammy pop-up ads are trickier as they are engineered to be more persistent, louder, and bolder to scare you into acting quickly without thinking. If you encounter a pop-up with an alarming message like “Your computer is infected!” along with a phone number, it’s a scam. Do not click any buttons or call the number. These fake pop-ups aim to get you on the phone with a scammer or to install malicious software. 

To handle it safely, close the browser tab. If you are unable to do this, use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows) or Activity Monitor (on Mac) to force-quit your entire browser. Afterwards, reopen your browser and immediately clear the cache and browsing history to remove traces of the malicious site. 

Finally, run a comprehensive virus scan with your online security software to ensure your device remains secure and free from potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) or adware. For a deeper clean, consider resetting your web browsers to their default settings. This action will disable all extensions and clear your temporary data, which often resolves persistent pop-up issues. 

If you’ve tried these steps and are still experiencing problems, our support team is here to help. You can contact official McAfee support for personalized assistance. You’re not alone, and we’re committed to helping you resolve the issue.

General safety tips to avoid unwanted pop-up ads

Being proactive is the best defense against a flood of unwanted pop-ups. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

  • Keep everything updated: To protect against the latest threats, start by keeping your operating system, security software, and web browsers updated to ensure you have the latest security patches. 
  • Be wary of notification prompts: Scams can be quite convincing, so be selective about which websites you grant notification permissions to. Carefully read such authorization prompts and only click Allow on sites that you trust. Decline requests from websites you don’t know and trust. If you don’t recognize a site or don’t need alerts from it, simply click Block on the permission prompt. 
  • Verify alerts manually: If you see a security alert, close it and open your McAfee application directly to check if it’s legitimate. When in doubt, start the communication yourself by manually typing the web address instead of clicking on a link, and confirm phone numbers and email addresses using official sources before contacting anyone.
  • Don’t click anything: Avoid interacting with links, buttons, or download prompts within a pop-up you didn’t expect.
  • Use web protection: Employ a tool like McAfee WebAdvisor to help identify and block malicious sites before they can serve you fake pop-ups. In addition, using comprehensive security software like McAfee Total Protection adds a powerful layer of defense by blocking malicious websites that are the source of many pop-ups.
  • Finally, take a moment to educate your family members on these practices, so everyone can browse more safely and with fewer interruptions.

Other messages you should look out for

While there are thousands of malicious sites and adware sending these pop-up ads, and messages evolve over time, these are the most common. The spelling and grammatical errors are glaring red flags that the alerts are scams:

Urgency & Immediate Threat

  • Activate Protection Now?
  • Protect your PC now!
  • Critical Virus Alert

Brand Impersonation

  • Activate your McAfee, now!
  • Norton Expired 3 Days Ago! Renew now to stay protected for your PC!
  • Your McAfee has Expired

Fake Infection Status

  • System is infected!
  • PC is under virus threat! Renew McAfee now to stay protected
  • New (1) Security Notification

Imitation of System Prompts

  • Turn On Windows Protection
  • Turn on virus protection
  • Turn on your antivirus

Subscription Expiry

  • Click Here To Renew Subscription
  • Renew McAfee License Now! Stay Protected.
  • Your McAfee Has Expired Today. Renew McAfee License Now!

Free or #1 Protection Offers

  • Activate your free security today – Download now
  • Best Antivirus 2025 – Download Free Now
  • Install Your Free Antivirus

Fake Scan Results

  • Viruses Found (3)
  • Scan Report Ready. Tap to reveal
  • Check here with a Free Virus Scan

Aggressive Download Prompts

  • Download your free Windows protection now.
  • Install FREE Antivirus now
  • Free Antivirus Update is available. Download and protect system?

Prompt to Activate Security

  • Click here to activate McAfee protection
  • Turn on your antivirus now [Activate]
  • Activate Your PC Security

Review or Action Required

  • Click here to review your PC protection
  • Click here to fix the error
  • Click Here To Renew Subscription

Key takeaways

Navigating the digital world means encountering occasional unwanted pop-ups, but you have the power to control them. Knowing the difference between legitimate notifications and malicious scams, and applying safety practices outlined above, can significantly reduce interruptions and enhance your online security. 

Staying vigilant, keeping your software updated, and using trusted security tools are the keys to a safer, more enjoyable online experience. For all-in-one protection that secures your devices and identity, explore the comprehensive solutions offered by McAfee+.