Browser Locker

What is the browser malware that doesn’t let me click and close the page?

• • Force-close via keyboard: Press Alt + F4 on Windows or Command + Q on Mac to shut the browser down entirely.
  • Use Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Windows) or Option + Command + Escape (Mac), select your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), and click End Task.
  • Power Down a Chromebook – To force your Chromebook to shut down, press and hold the Power button for 10 to 30 seconds,
    use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Q + Q, or perform a hard reset

Reopen safely: When you open your browser again, do not “Open your previous windows and apps” or the locker page will reload.

Safety Warning

• Do not call the phone number listed on the locked screen. It is a tech support scam meant to steal your money or install real remote-access software.
• Microsoft and Apple will never lock your browser or show phone numbers in security warnings.
  • Neither Microsoft nor Apple will ever lock your web browser, display a flashing warning, or provide a phone number for you to call for technical support.
    > Stop Fake Antivirus Popups on Your Mac
    > Tech Support Pop-Up Scam
  • Any webpage that blocks your screen and demands you call a support number is always a fraudulent scam.

On ChromeOS (Chromebook), this is caused by a webpage exploiting your browser, not a virus infecting your Chromebook.

• • Open Chrome Task Manager: Press Search + Esc on your keyboard.
  • Kill the tab: Select the frozen tab from the list and click End process.
  • Hard restart (if frozen): Hold down the Refresh key (circular arrow) and tap the Power button. 
  • Or power down: To force your Chromebook to shut down, press and hold the Power button for 10 to 30 seconds.

• • Do not restore tabs: When Chrome restarts, click the X (or No Thanks) on the “Restore pages” pop-up.
  • Clear cached data: Open Settings (Ctrl + Shift + Backspace), go to Delete browsing data, check Clear history, and delete Cached images and files, then click Delete Data. 

• • Open Chrome’s Task Manager: Press Shift + Esc while inside Google Chrome.
  • Kill the specific tab: Find the malicious website name in the list, click it, and click End process.
  • Kill all of Chrome: If your whole screen is stuck, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Windows Task Manager, select Google Chrome, and click End task. 
  • Or power down: To force your Computer to shut down, press and hold the Power button for 10 to 30 seconds.

• • Do not restore tabs: When Chrome restarts, click the X (or No Thanks) on the “Restore pages” pop-up.
  • Clear cached data: Open Settings (Ctrl + Shift + Delete), go to Delete browsing data, check Clear history, and delete Cached images and files, then click Delete Data.

• • Open Extension settings: Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of Chrome, hover over Extensions, and click Manage Extensions (or type chrome://extensions/ in the URL bar).
  • Audit your list: Look for any extension you do not remember installing, or anything with a generic name like “Search Manager” or “AdBlocker Pro.” 
  • Delete them: Click Remove on any suspicious extensions. 

• • Access Reset Settings: Type chrome://settings/reset in your address bar and press Enter.
  • Restore settings: Click Restore settings to their original defaults and select Reset settings. This will disable all extensions and clear temporary data without deleting your bookmarks or passwords.