Q: I got an alert that someone is watching what I’m browsing. How can they do that?
A. A web browser will not display such a message. It is most likely that a compromised website you visited tossed that at you just like any other pop-up message or advertising. It is also possible that your browser has been compromised, with a plug-in or other item introduced to create these pop-ups.
I’ll bet there was a phone number to call for assistance, or a button to click to purchase a solution to this “problem”.
So, let’s verify all is in good shape, and we can write this off to a rogue web page:
- Open the browser.
- Verify that your homepage is correct.
- Select Security. Verify Warn when visiting a fraudulent site, and Block pop-up windows are enabled.
- Select the Extensions tab. If there is an extension present that you don’t recall installing, remove it.
- Quit the browser.
- Open the browser.
All should be rainbows and unicorns!
