🎃 Spooky Scams and Tech Tricks: How to Stay Safe from the Real Monsters Online

By Jeff Carney, DarkHorse IT

It’s the season of ghosts and goblins — but the scariest creatures aren’t hiding under your bed. They’re in your email inbox, your phone, and sometimes right on your computer screen.
Let’s talk about some of the most common tech “scares” we’re seeing right now — and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from them.

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👻 The Fake Virus Scam

You’re online, maybe checking your email or the news, when suddenly a loud alert fills your screen:

“Your computer is infected! Call Microsoft immediately!”

That’s one of the oldest tricks in the book — and still one of the most effective. The truth is simple: no company is monitoring your computer. Microsoft, Best Buy, Norton, McAfee — none of them call you out of the blue or show pop-ups that ask for a phone number.

Their goal is to get remote access to your computer or your credit card number. Never call those numbers, never click “Allow,” and never share your personal information.

🧰 What to Do if It Happens

Sometimes you can’t close those windows normally — they trap your screen. Here’s how to safely end it:

1. Open Task Manager:
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open it directly, or
   • Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose “Task Manager.”
2. In the list, find your browser (like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox).
3. Right-click it and choose “End Task.”
4. If that doesn’t work, hold your power button until your computer shuts down.
5. When it restarts, open your browser again, but don’t restore your old tabs.

These simple steps will stop the fake alert safely without giving scammers a way in.

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🤖 AI Scams: Don’t Trust What You See or Hear

Artificial Intelligence has made it easier than ever to fake things that look and sound real — even the voices of people you know.
Scammers can use AI to clone a family member’s voice, copy a video of your bank’s CEO, or generate a “police officer” email that looks official.

Here’s how to stay safe:

• Verify everything. If someone calls saying they’re in trouble or from your bank, hang up and call back using the official number on your card.
• Don’t trust caller ID or email addresses. They can be spoofed.
• Be skeptical of emotional or urgent messages. Scammers create panic to make you act fast.

The rule is simple: Pause and verify. It only takes a few seconds to stop an expensive mistake.

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🦁 Tools to Stay Safer Online

A few simple tools can make your browsing safer and quieter:

• Brave Browser: Blocks most scam popups and trackers right out of the box.
• uBlock Origin: A free browser extension that adds another layer of ad and scam blocking.
• Updates matter: Keep your system, browser, and antivirus up to date.
• Use bookmarks: Go directly to your bank or store websites instead of clicking links in emails or texts.

These tools don’t just protect you — they make browsing faster and less annoying.

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🧡 The Bottom Line

Scammers thrive on fear, urgency, and confusion. If you slow down, verify, and use the right tools, you can stop almost any scam before it starts.

This Halloween, don’t fear ghosts or monsters — fear the fake tech support pop-up.
And if you ever need help or a second opinion, DarkHorse IT is here to keep your systems — and your peace of mind — protected.

📞 701-660-0909
🌐 darkhorseit.com
🏢 3505 8th St S, Suite 8, Moorhead, MN

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