Our desktop popped up suddenly with a “Windows Defender Security Center” alert saying “access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.” I’m afraid to make a move and believe it is a hack. Help

Question

Our desktop popped up suddenly with a “Windows Defender Security Center” alert saying “access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.” I’m afraid to make a move and believe it is a hack. Help

barbara rambo 5

This message indicates “do not restart or use your computer” “your computer is disabled” Call Microsoft at an 833– phone number. How do I get around this???

Anita Drum 0 Reputation points

2025-06-10T16:34:14.0666667+00:00

I just got this same message. If you ever call the number, you will be calling a center in another country. If you ever call the number here is what will happen. You will be given a name of their "Microsoft" representative and the reps number. They will not be very patient with you if you make a mistake. If you listen closely, you will be able to hear others in the background not speaking English. You will also notice that the website that they send you to is obviously not in focus. If that is not enough to get you off of the phone with them, you will be asked to download screen connect. You will be asked to turn down the volume on your computer. The final step is pressing yes when asked for access to your computer. These are all signs of a SCAM and by pushing the yes on the last step they will have access to everything. If you hang up, they will try to call back and it does look like the number is from somewhere in the United States. In my case it was Lemont, Ill. This is what happened to me this morning. I turned everything off before sharing any information.
Eugene Gocke 0 Reputation points

2025-11-19T17:49:17.62+00:00

My computer is locked up. I called the number on the screen. I started the process with them and didn't trust them so I hung up on them. My computer is locked up so I can't run a virus scan. What do I do?

3 answers

Your answer

Anita Drum 0 Reputation points

2025-06-10T16:34:14.0666667+00:00

I just got this same message. If you ever call the number, you will be calling a center in another country. If you ever call the number here is what will happen. You will be given a name of their "Microsoft" representative and the reps number. They will not be very patient with you if you make a mistake. If you listen closely, you will be able to hear others in the background not speaking English. You will also notice that the website that they send you to is obviously not in focus. If that is not enough to get you off of the phone with them, you will be asked to download screen connect. You will be asked to turn down the volume on your computer. The final step is pressing yes when asked for access to your computer. These are all signs of a SCAM and by pushing the yes on the last step they will have access to everything. If you hang up, they will try to call back and it does look like the number is from somewhere in the United States. In my case it was Lemont, Ill. This is what happened to me this morning. I turned everything off before sharing any information.
Eugene Gocke 0 Reputation points

2025-11-19T17:49:17.62+00:00

My computer is locked up. I called the number on the screen. I started the process with them and didn't trust them so I hung up on them. My computer is locked up so I can't run a virus scan. What do I do?

Answer 1

Manish Tiwari 190

The message you're describing sounds like a common type of tech support scam. Legitimate security warnings from Windows Defender will not ask you to call a phone number. Here are steps you should take:

Do Not Call the Number: This is likely a scam designed to get money or personal information from you.

Run a Virus Scan: Use Windows Defender or another trusted antivirus program to scan your computer for malware.

Disconnect from the Internet: This can prevent any potential malware from communicating with a remote server.

Do Not Provide Personal Information: If you did call the number, do not provide any personal, financial, or computer access information.

Seek Professional Help: If you're unsure how to proceed or the problem persists, consider taking your computer to a trusted professional for help.

Update Your Security Software: Ensure that your antivirus and operating system are up to date to protect against the latest threats.

These types of scams can be very convincing, but it's important to remember that legitimate security software or operating systems will never ask you to call a support number in this manner.

Shawne Griffin 0 Reputation points

2025-10-30T16:24:00.5466667+00:00

Why can't we speak with a Microsoft professional??! The same message is on my laptop screen and I just turned off my laptop. But after turning off my laptop and then back on after a period of time (several times, for longer periods of time, each time) that message is still there and I can't do anything else on my laptop! 🤬
Ben O 0 Reputation points

2025-11-26T14:41:22+00:00

try a hard reset (unless you have a modern computer those are easy to mess up while working with the inner components) unplug your cord then take out the battery wait a little then put the battery back in it worked for me

Answer 2

Evelyn Lange 0

step one don't call Microsoft support they can they can give you special offers

Answer 3

The same exact thing happened to me, my mouse was stuck, the screen did what the scammers wanted it to (close any tab I open and then f11 into the site) so I did the first rule of fixing any technical issue, I unplugged the cord the I took out the battery (I have a hp elitebook 8470p) then I put the battery back in and turned on the computer again ( because if it was a real Microsoft security block it would detect the computer) but it was gone then I ran a couple scans and checked for malicious drivers through a program called outbyte driver updater and then I went onto this site to see if this happened to anyone else

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Our desktop popped up suddenly with a “Windows Defender Security Center” alert saying “access to this PC has been blocked for security reasons.” I’m afraid to make a move and believe it is a hack. Help

3 answers

step one don't call Microsoft support they can they can give you special offers

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